MP Nambooze weeps in court

Mukono Municipality member of parliament Betty Nambooze cried as charges against her were read at Nakawa court last month. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA

KAMPALA.

The Mukono Municipality MP, Ms Betty Nambooze Bakireke, broke down in the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
She wept in the dock as the charges of inciting the public were read out to her before she took a plea of “not guilty.”
Ms Nambooze arrived at court from CID headquarters in an ambulance at midday. She was confined to wheelchair because of the injuries on her spine and legs. She groaned in pain with tear-filled eyes.
Ms Nambooze, 49, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Noah Sajjabi who released her on bail.
The prosecution states that Ms Nambooze on or about June 9, 2018, by uttering and posting in the media, incited the public to attack and murder public figures, however, well-guarded since the government could not secure them.
The State prosecutor, Ms Deborah Itwau, told court that investigations into the case were still ongoing and sought an adjournment.
Ms Nambooze was represented by counsel Erias Lukwango, the Kampala Lord Mayor.
She applied for bail on grounds of grave sickness, the offence being bailable, being a Member of Parliament and a married woman with children.
She presented two sureties, Mr Joseph Ssewungu and Mr Moses Kasibante, both Members of Parliament.
“I note that the State does not object to sureties presented. The accused is an MP and absconding from court is minimal. She is sick and needs treatment and since the case is bailable I find no reason to deny her bail,” Magistrate Sajjabi ruled and adjourned the case to September 27.
She was granted a non-cash bail of Shs5m while her sureties entered a non-cash bond of Shs10m each.
In June, the CID spokesperson, Mr Vincent Ssekate, said a general enquiry file had been opened at CID headquarters in Kibuli, Kampala, against Ms Nambooze.
“We have opened files against four people. Detectives are also still analysing messages on social media of a dozen others,” Mr Ssekate said.
The charges against Ms Nambooze arise from her alleged utterances before and after the assassination of Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga.