We want to fight political persecution - Zaake’s lawyer

ARUA. The lawyer representing the Mityana Municipality MP, Mr Francis Zaake, in the case of unlawful escape from custody, has said he will continue fighting against political persecution.
While addressing the press on Friday morning after the adjournment of the hearing of MP Zaake’s case at Arua Grade One Magistrate’s court, Mr Medard Seggona, said: “We hope there will be a difference between persecution and prosecution. Our contention is that he (Zaake) is being persecuted for political reasons. The people who should have been arraigned here in court for the gruesome murder of Yasin Kawuma [the driver of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine] have never been brought to book. And the suspects, culprits responsible for that murder are still in charge of the state.”
MP Zaake appeared before Arua Grade One magistrate Swaleh Asiku, to answer to charges of unlawful escape from custody in Arua.
He is accused by the State of escaping from the cells on August 13, the night he and 35 others were arrested.
The arrest of Mr Zaake, at that time, led to alleged torture of the suspects who were driven through the night from Arua to Gulu.
The suspects, including the Arua Municipality MP, Mr Kassiano Wadri, are facing treason case. Zaake and other MPs were in Arua campaigning for Mr Wadri, who won the by-election.
The treason and escape from custody cases stem from allegation that the supporters of Mr Wadri stoned President Museveni’s car while returning from campaigning for the NRM candidate, Ms Nusura Tiperu.
“We have got some of the vital documents and we are able to deploy all the legal machinery. Our client is nursing wounds out of the torture. We will be able to get our colleague off the book because we are confident that the truth will come out and be placed before everyone,” Mr Seggona said.

Prosecution tasked
Mr Seggona asked for adjournment of the case, saying they want the State to provide all the documents before they can proceed with the hearing.
State prosecutors led by Ms Harriet Adubango served the defence counsel and court with exhibit slips, statements from four police officers and lock-up registers.
Mr Asiku adjourned the case to April 24, when Mr Zaake will be arraigned in court for hearing of his case.
“Court therefore orders that the prosecutors produce all the documents asked by the defence lawyer by the end of today so that they prepare a response and we kick off hearing on April 24,” he said.
After the court session, Mr Zaake was tipped that he would be allegedly re-arrested on unclear reasons.
The team comprising of Mr KasWadri, had to drive to police to meet the RPC to block the “re-arrest” of Mr Zaake where they received assurance that the legislator would not be re-arrested.