Besigye, Lukwago on bus to Kabale court

Former FDC president Kizza Besigye (L) and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago aboard a bus to Kabale District. The two and three other Opposition leaders travelled by bus to the south-western district where they are expected to appear before a magistrate’s court on Monday to answer to charges of inciting violence. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA

What you need to know:

The two Opposition leaders, together with Mubarak Munyagwa, will appear in court on Monday to answer charges of inciting violence.

Kampala- Former Forum for Democratic Change president Kizza Besigye, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and three other Opposition leaders yesterday travelled by bus to Kabale where they will appear before a Magistrate’s Court to answer charges of inciting violence on Monday.

The group travelled with the leader of the FDC Women League, Ms Ingrid Turinawe, Kawempe Division Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa and Rukungiri Municipality MP Roland Mugume Kaginda.

They will appear before Kabale Magistrate’s Court on charges of an alleged offence committed in 2012.

In July 2013, Mr Munyagwa was arrested in Kampala on allegations of inciting violence while speaking at a rally in Kabale Municipal Stadium on July 14, 2012.

The rally was dispersed by police after engaging in running battles with residents after stopping Opposition supporters from marching through Kabale Town in support of their leaders. Mr Munyagwa was charged in July 2013 and Kabale Grade II Magistrate Charles Khadhis ordered that he be remanded. He was however released on bail after presenting Dr Besigye, Mr Lukwago, MP Kaginda and Ms Turinawe as sureties.

A month later, Ms Turinawe, Mr Lukwago and MP Kaginda were arraigned in the same court on similar charges. Dr Besigye told Saturday Monitor he had also received summons to appear before the same court on similar charges of inciting violence.
“I received court summons about a month ago to appear before Kabale Magistrate’s Court over similar charges. I wonder why they did not charge me then, but had to wait this long,” said Dr Besigye.

When asked how often he uses public means of transport to travel, Dr Besigye said: “I don’t remember the last time I used a bus or public means of transport in Uganda.”

Mr Lukwago said such cases have become too costly for them in terms of transport and accommodation, especially when they have to travel long distances to attend court. “For instance we spend over Shs1m each time we have to travel to Kabale to attend court. Besides, it puts our lives at risks,” he said.