UPC leader faces sectarianism charge

Kampala

The Director of Public Prosecutions has sanctioned charges of promotion of sectarianism against Uganda Peoples Congress president Olara Otunnu. “We are waiting to see if he won’t also appear in court as he did to police,” said a police source, who preferred not to be named because they are not authorised to speak to the media. If the prosecutor submits the file, the court in Lira will be required to summon Mr Otunnu.

The submission of the case file to the DPP, Mr Richerd Butera, came after Mr Otunnu declined to record a statement at CID over comments he allegedly made on Radio Lango about the two-decade war in northern Uganda in April.

Promotion of sectarianism attracts a five-year sentence on conviction. Efforts to reach the CID chief, Mr Edward Ochom, and his deputy, Mr Moses Sakira were futile as both did not pick our calls. But according to the recent summons, Mr Sakira said, on April 12, 2010 on Radio Lango in Lira District, Mr Otunnu “uttered words to the effect that the war in northern Uganda was facilitated by President Museveni and his government, which tends to promote sectarianism contrary to Section 41 of the Penal Code Act.”

Mr Otunnu denied uttering sectarian statements, saying President Museveni instead should be in the dock. He said he would not retract his statements because he has overwhelming evidence and he is ready to tell Ugandans the truth.

The CID had earlier summoned Mr Otunnu on criminal defamation charges. Mr Otunnu’s lawyer, Mr Erias Lukwago, told Daily Monitor that they (legal team) are going to sit to decide a way forward. “There is a petition challenging the constitutionality of Section 41 in the Penal Code. But I think the government should be patient,” Mr Lukwago said.