Lord Mayor acquitted over inciting Kayunga violence

The Lord Mayor said he is tired of the state’s malicious prosecutions intended to torture him psychologically.
He promised to consult his lawyers to open up a case in which he will seek for damages.

Buganda Road Court yesterday acquitted Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago of charges of inciting violence that allegedly led to September 2009 Kayunga riots.

Chief Magistrate Eleanor Mary Khainza freed Mr Lukwago on grounds that the case had over stayed without prosecution presenting any witnesses.

“At the beginning of this trial, the state was arguing that the case is failing to proceed because the accused person is never in court. This court has made several adjournments with him showing up and finding no witnesses. Therefore, I dismiss this case for want of prosecution,” Ms Khainza said.

Speaking to the Daily Monitor after the trial, Mr Lukwago expressed relief that he has been set him free from “a baseless case.”
“The state sketched malicious charges against me and deceived court that it will adduce witnesses which it has failed to do,” Mr Lukwago said.

Lukwago’s response
The Lord Mayor said he is tired of the state’s malicious prosecutions intended to torture him psychologically.
He promised to consult his lawyers to open up a case in which he will seek for damages.

Court’s decision was influenced by Mr Lukwago lawyer’s, Mr Chrysostom Katumba’s submissions that since the police file on investigations is missing in court, it is proof that the state lost interest in charging his client.

The same court set March 5 to determine whether it should halt the case in which Dr Kizza Besigye and Mr Lukwago are accused of staging a demonstration that led to the death of Assistant Inspector of Police John Michael Ariong.

bndagire@ug.nationmedia.com