Besigye case deferred

Kasangati/Kampala

Dr Kizza Besigye’s trial has been deferred after the State said investigations into the case were still ongoing. Kasangati Grade One Magistrate James Eremye postponed the case, in which the opposition leader and six others are accused of participating in an unlawful assembly, to July 13.

Dr Besigye, who walked to court—a distance of 2km from his home—was accompanied by the co-accused; Fred Kato, Robert Kavuma, Sam Mugumya, Geoffrey Kalanzi, Francis Mwijukye and Martin Ndyomugyenyi. Whereas there was heavy police deployment, unlike in the past, the security officials this time let Dr Besigye walk unhindered.

Investigations on
State attorney Lino Anguzu asked the court for a short adjournment to enable the state complete investigations. “We are still carrying out the investigations and one month will be enough for us to be through,” said Mr Anguzu prompting defence lawyers David Mpanga and Earnest Kalibbala to ask court to give it a last chance of hearing.

“If prosecution fails, court should use its powers to dismiss the charges against our clients. I pray that the bail be extended,” said Mr Mpanga. “These matters are simple and they should be investigated and concluded because this was a public order offence.” The magistrate said: “I am giving you the last chance of one month to complete the investigations in these matters. If you fail I am going to take my own decision.”

More cases
Dr Besigye, a former presidential candidate, is also facing charges related to walk-to-work protests before the Nabweru Court, where he is slated to appear on June 15. The walk-to-work campaign was organised by Activists for Change, a pressure group formed to press government to address the soaring fuel and commodity prices. About two months ago, security blocked and violently arrested Dr Besigye as he walked from his home in Kasangati, Wakiso District to his place of work in Najjanankumbi, a city suburb, on charges of obstructing traffic.

Meanwhile, the FDC has dismissed speculations of a rift in opposition ranks over the “Free Uganda Now” campaign. FDC spokesperson and shadow information minister Wafula Oguttu said their party leaders had commitments outside the country, explaining why they missed last week’s aborted demonstration in which UPC, DP and SDP leaders were roughed up by the police in Kampala.

“Our leader Dr Kizza Besigye was in the US and he delegated to vice president Salaam Musumba, who also happened to be in the UK. The rest of the party’s top leaders being MPs were busy in Parliament. It is not that we did not want to attend but there was breakdown in delegation,” Mr Oguttu said.

Pressed on reports that Mr Otunnu has disagreements with FDC over the approach to get NRM out of power, Mr Oguttu said: “UPC thinks that it is political parties that should lead the struggle. For us we think it should be broader and this is why we think other stakeholders, like civil society and religious leaders should be involved. We think it should be a people-based approach but our intentions and those of UPC are the same.”

No war
He added: “There are religious leaders who are hurting, there are soldiers who are hurting, and there are policemen who are hurting. All these should come on board.” Mr Oguttu also ruled out the option of using the gun to effect regime change.