Uganda prisons explains whereabouts of missing inmates

Kampala. Uganda Prisons Service has said the three prisoners who had been reported missing from Kaweri Prison in Mubende District under unclear circumstances are being held in Katojo and Muinaina prisons.
Ms Grace Nantubiro (a councillor representing Busaale Ward), Mr Ronald Mugwabya (a councillor for Kaweri Ward) and Mr Focus Mugisha (a secretary for Kawula Local Council I) were being held at Kaweri prison in Mubende District.
However, their lawyers from Ms Kiiza and Mugisha Company Advocates failed to find them.

Last week, the lawyers had wanted the trio to swear affidavits but did not find them at Kaweri prison, which caused suspicion.
“Those people are not missing, they were moved to other prisons. The woman is at Katojo Prison in Fort Portal while the men are now being held in Muinaina Prison in Mubende District,” Mr Frank Baine, the prisons spokesperson, said yesterday.
Mr Baine said the trio were facing multiple charges of robbery and murder.
Ms Nantubiro, Mr Mugwabya and Mr Mugisha were some of the leaders at the forefront of advocating for their land rights but were arrested in October 2018.

The late Tabu was killed in a scuffle between businessman Kaweesi’s men and residents.
The late Tabu was killed in a scuffle with the residents.
Mr Wokulira Ssebaggala, the executive director of Witness Radio, a non-governmental organisation fighting for the rights of people on land, confirmed that they managed to get Ms Nantubiro to swear an affidavit but were yet to get access to the two gentlemen in Muinaina prison.
The residents have filed a civil suit before Mubende High Court seeking compensation and an order to have them reinstated on the contested land.

Through their lawyers, the victims have sued the businessman behind the eviction, Mr George Kaweesi, his farm manager Francis Kyeyune, Mubende District police commander at the time of the eviction, Martin Okoyo, and the Attorney General.
The more than 3,000 residents want court to order that they are reinstated on their land.
They also want court to order that a valuation of the crops, houses and land be done before evicting them.

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