Magistrate to visit Besigye in prison

Dr Kizza Besigye in the dock at Nakawa Magistrate's Court last month. Photo by Ababuker Lubowa

Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate James Ereemye has offered to pay a visit to jailed Forum for Democratic Change former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye in Luzira prison where he’s being held over treason charges.
The pronouncement by Mr Ereemye followed Dr Besigye’s continuous pleas to the court whenever he is produced of how his rights are being violated in prison.
The magistrate wants to ascertain what exactly is happening in the largest government prison where the opposition leader and other inmates are being held.

“On the issue of violation of rights in prison, it’s high time under the umbrella of DCC [District Chain-Linked Committees] that I should visit you in Luzira prison so that we discuss and see how and why these concerns keep on coming up so that we can come up with solutions in that regard,” Magistrate Ereemye assured Dr Besigye who was very attentive in the dock.
He added: “I will be doing this visit early next week so that we address those concerns…….”

Further in his plea to the court, the four-time challenger of President Yoweri Museveni said that as a political leader, he tried to send out a Ramadhan message to his supporters but he was blocked by the prison authorities on grounds that he doesn’t have a right to send out messages.
To that effect, Dr Besigye asked court to prevail over the prison authorities to allow him send out messages whenever he wants before adding that all his messages are censored, hence no cause for alarm.

However, the Magistrate did not pronounce himself on this issue in his short ruling and directives that he gave.
Also in his submissions to court, the runner first up of the February 18 presidential elections, demanded from the state for a timeframe within which it will conclude its investigations against him so that he can prove his innocence.
In response, the magistrate concurred with Dr Besigye, saying the state should expedite its investigations.
“Of course I will start with the concern that deals with investigations and I want to agree with you (Dr Besigye)that investigations into this case should be expedited and in the last adjournment, court was informed that by this time round, investigations would be complete………...”

He added: “ I will still add my concern that as you (state) continue carrying out investigations, be mindful that the accused (Dr Besigye) is entitled to a speedy trial and that any delays is an issue about his rights which is a constitutional matter. I want to add a concern that you should ensure that justice is seen to be done.”
But the state through Ms Doreen Elima, assured the court that the police is working around the clock to ensure that the investigations into Dr Besigye’s treason case are completed as soon as possible so that he can be sent to the High Court to stand trial.

The magistrate adjourned the case to July 13 to enable the state update the court on how far they have gone with the investigations.
Dr Besigye was then driven back to Luzira prison where he has been for the last two months.
Prosecution alleges that Dr Besigye and others at large between February 20 and May 11 of this year in diverse places of Uganda formed an intention to compel by force or constrain the government of Uganda as by law established to change its measures or counsels as to the lawfully established methods of acceding to the office of president of the Republic of Uganda.

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