Court halts unlawful assembly case against Besigye, Lukwago

Kampala

The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has halted the case in which opposition leaders, including the former FDC
president, Dr Kizza Besigye, and the Kampala Lord Mayor are accused of organising an unlawful assembly that led to the
death of a police officer.

Dr Besigye and Erias Lukwago are jointly charged with the Kawempe Division Mayor, Mr Mubarak Munyagwa, Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Ssempala and FDC Women League leader Ingrid Turinawe, among others.

Petition
Chief Magistrate Eleanor Mary Khainza yesterday took the decision to stay the trial until the Constitutional Court
pronounces itself on a petition the accused filed before it, challenging the legality of Sections 56 to 64 of the Penal
Code Act, under which they are charged.

The petition filed before the Constitutional Court states that the accused’s right to assemble and address national
issues was infringed on by the sections they are challenging. The ruling was passed in absence of Dr Besigye, who
failed to appear in court, because he was said to have been arrested by police in the morning on his way to board a taxi
to court.

Allegation
Prosecution alleges that the accused persons on March 21, 2012 formed unlawful assembly in Kampala with the purpose of
inciting members of the public against the police thereby leading to the death of AIP John Michael Ariong.

bndagire@ug.nationmdia.com