Five additional charges slapped on Arua treason suspects

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Five more criminal charges have been added onto the charges against Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and his co-accused in a case in which they are charged with treason.

The charges include incitement of violence, disobedience of lawful orders and going armed in certain places contrary to section 75 (b) of the penal code act.

Other counts include failure to prevent obstruction of traffic flow, confusion, or disorders during a public meeting contrary to Public Order Management Act, and failure to give right of way contrary to the traffic and road safety act.

The charges were read to the accused persons on Tuesday while they appeared before the Gulu Grade one Magistrate Isaac Kintu Imoran.

Patrick Omiya, the Senior Resident State Attorney told court that the accused persons are being charged with offences that are capital in nature and that the prosecution will still amend the charges and bring more counts.

In his ruling, Isaac Kintu Imoran, the Gulu Grade One Magistrate committed all the 37 suspects to the High Court for trial including the 10 who were absent on 4th July. Kintu also referred the case file to the Deputy Registrar of Gulu High Court for further management.

Benjamin Katana, one of the defense lawyers says that the whole court process was unlawfully conducted right from the time of the arrests of the suspects.

Henry Komakech Kilama, the lead defence lawyer, however, appealed to the general public to be calm and allow justice to take its course.

The Magistrate court did not indicate the date that the accused persons are to appear in court.

Kyagulanyi and MPs Kasiano Wadri, Francis Zaake and 34 others accused were arrested and charged with treason on allegations that they were involved in the election-related fracas in Arua that resulted into damage on a vehicle in the Presidential motorcade on 13th August 2018.

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