No Mbabazi witness was arrested - AG

Mar 10, 2016

"Counsel’s behavior therefore begs for answers why he raised such a malicious allegation against the police."

KAMPALA - Deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana told court on Thursday that claims raised by Amama Mbabazi's lawyer Asuman Basalirwa that over 13 of their witnesses were arrested by security operatives are "false and unfounded."

He made the comments during the pre-hearing session of the election petition by Mbabazi at the Supreme Court in Kampala.

 



Rukutana said that when court directed the Attorney General to investigate the matter and release witnesses, his superior Frederick Ruhindi did that and his findings were that none of the witnesses mentioned were arrested or detained at the Kireka Special Investigations Unit (SIU) as alleged.

"The AG did the inquiries and we wish to report that the allegations are unfounded and false. No one in the names mentioned was arrested and detained at SIU," he submitted.

 

Rukutana (pictured above arriving for the session) also said that lawyer Basalirwa's intention was to discredit the Government before local and international media - who are keenly following the petition.

"Counsel's behavior therefore begs for answers why he raised such a malicious allegation against the police. One wonders what he intends to gain from it. How will the lies help them in prosecuting this case?"

The deputy Attorney General also said that Mbabazi's lawyers failed to serve them with affidavits, witness statements and evidence and instead stage-managed their own break-ins in order to gain public sympathy and "buy more time."

Meanwhile Chief Justice Bart Katureebe who heads a peanel of nine justices hearing the case warned Mbabazi's lawyers against messing up the case by coming up with excuses they should have handled a long time ago.


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