Witness quits Besigye case

Kabale.

A State witness has withdrawn from a case against former Forum for Democratic Change president Kizza Besigye in Kabale Magistrate’s Court, citing intimidation by government agents.

“I am drafting an official letter to the resident State attorney withdrawing from being a witness in this case because many State agents have kept intimidating me by directing that I should pin the accused persons against my conscience. I was at the scene; it’s the police that incited violence, not the accused politicians,” Mr Donatus Eguma told the press at the court yesterday.

Dr Besigye, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kawempe Division Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa and FDC Women League leader Ingrid Turinawe, among others, are accused of inciting the public on July I4, 2012, at Kabale Stadium.

Mr Eguma refused to enter the courtroom as Chief Magistrate Godfrey Kawesa started hearing the case. The accused were also absent.

The State lawyer, Mr Batson Baguma, said he was prepared to proceed with the hearing because other witnesses were ready to testify.
He said the accused politicians had missed court more than three times and called for a warrant of arrest.

Objects to arrest warrant
However, the defence lawyer, Mr Jonathan Bwagi, asked the court for more time to read through the files from his deceased colleague to update himself on the case. Mr Bwagi took over the case from Wilfred Murumba, who died recently.

He said issuing an arrest warrant against his clients was unnecessary because he [Baguma] is the one who stopped them from coming to court as he had not perused their file.

Mr Kawesa issued criminal summons to the politicians and adjourned the case to June 17 for further hearing.