Tight security as Besigye appears in Court
FDC former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye shares a light moment with Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago as he is being led to Nakawa court cells after a court session on June 15, 2016. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
Court in Kampala has rejected state’s application to have jailed Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye’s treason case mentioned from Luzira Prison.
On June 1, the state failed to produce Dr Besigye in Nakawa Chief Magistrate's Court claiming that his appearance posed a security threat.
Besigye had been scheduled to re-appear in court for the second time after two weeks ever since he was charged afresh with treason offenses.
Prosecution then made an application asking the presiding Chief Magistrate James Ereemye to have Besigye’s case heard from Luzira Prison court on grounds that his appearance in court posed a security threat.
However, Chief Magistrate Ereemye adjourned the case to today (June 15) when he would pronounce himself on prosecution’s application.
Subsequently, Besigye was brought to Court at around 8:30am amid tight security. All roads leading to Nakawa Court were also sealed off.
Security officers deployed at Nakawa Court ahead of Besigye's case
In Court, Chief Magistrate Ereemye overruled state’s request to have Besigye's case heard from Luzira prison.
The magistrate said Dr Besigye must always appear in the court where he was arraigned.
“I don’t wish to undermine the duty of the state but I’m convinced the state has capacity to provide security to this particular case. But for this court to allow state application, circumstances of this case without sufficient evidence would be to set a wrong precedent that would undermine the sanctity and reputation of the court. I’m therefore not satisfied by the prosecution to move the mention of of this case to Luzira court. In search for justice and justice to be seen to be done, it’s prudent that this case remain mentioned in court where the accused was arraigned,” said Chief Magistrate Ereemye.
He also ordered police and the director of Public Prosecution to hasten with their investigations into Besigye’s case before adjourning it to June 29.
At his maiden court appearance at Nakawa Court, the four-time presidential candidate was not allowed to plead to the charges on grounds that they are capital in nature only triable by the High Court. Dr Besigye could not also ask for bail since the same court does not have jurisdiction to entertain his bail application.
He was then returned to Luzira prison amid tight security.
Prosecution alleges that Dr Besigye and others at large between February 20 and May 11 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.
SEE RELATED STORIES
