Buganda riot suspects not brought to Court

Lawyers representing the suspects talking to the Press outside court. Photo by Ayiga Ondoga

By Jeff Lule and Patience Kengoro

Relatives of the 23 Buganda riots suspects facing treason charges Monday broke down in tears as Prison authorities failed to produce the suspects to court.

The 28 relatives who reached court at about 7:00am Monday morning were angered when the Prisons bus arrived without the suspects. Only five prisoners facing other charges disembarked from the bus.

The relatives, who were waiting at the court room’s entrance, broke down in tears while yelling curses at government for denying their relatives a right to justice for now three years.

The suspects who face treason charges have been on remand since September 2009.

The riots broke out after the Police stopped the Buganda Katikkiro, J.B. Walusimbi, from visiting Kayunga in preparation for Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s visit to mark the annual youth day.

Over 25 people died in the riots and about 80 sustained injuries. Property, including Natete Police Station, was destroyed in the riots.

The angry relatives assembled and sang songs in praise of Buganda Kingdom including the anthem.

As a result, Police has to step up deployment, inside and around court premises. The Kampala Metropolitan Police, Andrew Kaweesi also arrived at the scene with other police officers to oversee the situation.

Everybody was subjected to a thorough check up to enter the court premises and police barred many from entering court premises due to lack of identification cards.

Relatives and friends of Buganda Terror suspects (R-L); Councillor LC5 Rubaga South, Angella Kyigwa, Maria Gorrette Nalubega and Councillor Evelyn Nakiryowa waiting for the suspects to appear at the Kampala High Court on Monday March 5, 2012.PHOTO BY AYIGA ONDOGA.

Medard Segona (MP Busiro East), asked the suspects’ relatives and sympathizers to settle in the compound.

Justice Lamek Mukasa who is supposed to preside over the case postponed the hearing to May.

Segona said they have agreed with the judge because of the tight schedules of the backlog cases they still have at hand.

"The session has been scheduled for May 2012. The judge said they still have a backlog of cases to make judgments and needs enough time to start on the case because it involves many people," he said.

Segona asked the furious relatives to be patient and allow the law to take its course, saying that it is a matter of time.

He asked the relatives to frequently visit the suspects to restore hope to them.

The 25 suspects include; Robert Sekabira, Nsubuga Kamada, Jethro Livingstone, Bashir Tyaba, Kassim Ntanzi, Salim Magoba, Paul Kikulwe, Gerald Kagga, Musa Ssengendo, Hakim Lwanga, Muzafaru Mugisha, Richard Kijjambu, Juma Sekyanzi and Adaadi Kibuuka.

Others are Sam Ssemambo, Sadat Luswata Buyungo, John Gafumba, Rogers Zinda, Joseph Katamba, Bob Kakembo (minor), Elisa Mujuni, Mohammed Sekatawa, Meddie Nsubuga, Emmanuel Muteesaasira and Kandada Nsubuga.  Source: newvision.co.ug/news