Battered journalist gets justice on March 10

Journalist Andrew Lwanga(middle) assisted by colleagues at court. File photo

Buganda Road court has set March 10, 2017 as the date on which to deliver ruling in the assault case against the Old Kampala Police Station former Divison police commander (DPC) Joram Mwesigye.

Mwesigye is facing charges of assault and two counts of malicious damage to property.

Prosecution alleges that the suspect on January 12, 2015 at Frelon Guest House Namirembe Road assaulted Andrew Lwanga and damaged his video camera.

Lwanga and other journalists were covering a procession by the unemployed youths to Naguru Police headquarters, in a bid to seek permission from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kale Kayihura, to hold rallies.

It is also alleged that the suspect on the same day damaged a Panasonic video camera of Joseph Ssentimba, a Bukedde TV reporter.

Suspect Joram Mwesigye

During a hearing before the grade one magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu, the defence lawyer Obedi Mwebesa asked court to close the case.

He told that they had other witnesses but failed to show up in court.

"Your worship I pray that defence closes its case," he requested.

Earlier on, defence presented two witnesses in court who testified including Mwesigye himself.

The magistrate ordered the prosecution led by Patricia Cingatho to file their written submissions not later than February 6, and defence to file their rejoinder not later than February 27, 2017.

"If you fail to do so I will go on and deliver my ruling," she stated.

Lwanga (journalist) sustained spinal injuries from the said assault and is since walking on crutches.                                          They were allegedly battered with an electric cable by Mwesigye.