Court directs on detention of Rwandan juvenile suspects
Seeking justice. Some of the detained Rwandans consult their lawyer, Mr Innocent Okong, at Mbarara Magistrate’s Court yesterday. PHOTO BY RAJAB MUKOMBOZI
What you need to know:
- Of the 45, six are further charged with establishment of a terrorist institution at various places on December 11, 2017.
The Mbarara Magistrate’s Court on Monday ordered government to remove four juveniles charged with terrorism from Mbarara Central Prison and take them to a remand home.
The four are part of the 45 suspects who were on December 28 remanded on charges of terrorism, establishment of a terrorist institution and forgery.
Appearing before Grade One Magistrate Daphine Ayebale for mention of their cases, the accused’s lawyers, Mr Innocent Okong and Mr Franco Barenkensi, argued that keeping their young clients in the same detention facility with adults is against child rights.
Lawyers’ argument
Mr Okong argued that they should be released on bail if they cannot be taken to a detention facility for only children.
While State Attorney Anthony Kurugyishuri promised to work with the prisons authorities to take the juveniles to remand home, he said this could take more than a month because of financial implications and a lot of coordination involved.
Mr Okong, however, argued that the aspect of financial implications is none of the young suspects’ business. “It is for the government or prisons. It’s not their issue that there is no money, otherwise they shouldn’t have arrested them,” he said.
The magistrate concurred with the lawyers of the accused. “The four should be taken to remand home in Fort Portal or Kampiringisa immediately,” Ms Ayebale said.
Mr Kurugyishuri said inquiries into the case are still ongoing, compelling the magistrate to further remand the suspects until February 5.
Charges
Prosecution alleges that on December 11, 2017, at Kikagati (Uganda-Tanzania) border in Isingiro District, the group and others still at large travelled outside Uganda for the purpose of perpetrating, planning or preparation of or participation in terrorist acts or providing or receiving terrorist training for political, religious, social or economic gain without due regard to the safety of others or property. Of the 45, six are further charged with establishment of a terrorist institution at various places on December 11, 2017.
