How burglars gained entrance into offices of Mbabazi’s lawyers

Mr Fred Muwema briefs journalists outside his offices on Wednesday. Photo by Dominic Bukenya

To gain access into Mr Muwema’s office off Acacia Avenue in Kololo in Kampala, the suspected burglars cut a hole through the fence at the back of the premises, according to the lawyer.

Mr Muwema says there was one private security guard, who at the time the burglars broke in, was reportedly at the main entrance in front of the perimeter.

Once in the offices, according to Mr Muwema, the burglars reportedly made for the secretary’s desk, which did not have a closed circuit television camera.

From the secretary desk, they headed for the Mr Muwema’s  office where they took some documents.

The group that broke into Mr Muhammed Mbabazi’s office reportedly lurked around the office from six o’clock in the evening. Later, they came with ladders, which they used to scale a perimeter wall around the premises.

Once inside, they broke the glass door leading into the reception.

It is not clear where on the premises the private guards were at the time. But on hearing shattering glass, they rushed to the scene.

The suspected burglars reportedly ‘arrested’ the private guards.

Impact of the burglaries on the petition

“What hurts most in this case, is that it’s not just the information in the computers. There was also of signed [affidavits]; where people had already signed. You see, if you have a situation where you had taken signatures of 200 people, and then it is a very big challenge to get those people to come again and sign – that is what hurts most. This other material, we can redraft,” said Mr Muwema.

Consequently, Mr Amama Mbabazi’s legal team might not be able to beat today’s deadline with in which to file the affidavits supporting his petition calling for the cancellation of the February 18 presidential elections.

“At the next session, I am sure this information will be brought to the attention of the court and the court will have to weigh and look at the justice of the case and see what accommodation it can give. Remember this is a special case. It has to be done within thirty days. The got has got to be alive to the time schedules. But at the same time, the court has got to acknowledge that this is not ‘your’ ordinary land case; this is a case where you have got to gather evidence from all over the country. It is very difficult. People have been working up to 2am or 3am to put information together. So, I think there will be special consideration the court will have to look into,” Mr Muwema said.

“We suspect that those who don’t want the petition to be heard are the ones responsible for this. Probably state operatives would be involved in this kind of thing because, if the petition is successful, they would suffer most. Right now we are speculating; but all signs – doing a two–pronged attack and looking for information against the petition – definitely points a finger at somebody connected to the state.”