Former KCCA ED charged, remanded

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Kasangati Chief Magistrates Court has remanded  the Former Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority Dorothy Kisaka and her Deputy David Luyimbazi on 57 charges including  manslaughter,  causing death  or harm by rush or negligent act.

Kisaka , Luyimbazi  and the  Director of Public Health Dr Daniel Okello  on Friday were arraigned before the Court presided over by the Chief Magistrate Beatrice Khainza on 34 charges of manslaughter and  an alternative count of causing death by rush or negligent act and other charges of chasing harm by rush or negligent act.

The charges arise from the tragedy where Kiteezi landfill collapsed and killed 35 people and injured others.

The Prosecution accused Kisaka , Luyimbazi and Dr Okello of causing death on 34 people and harm by injuring  21 others  by rush or negligent as a result of the August 10th 2024 collapse of the landfill which they contend wouldn’t have happened, had the accused not neglected their duties as Executive Director KCCA, Deputy ED and Director Public Health respectively.

All the the accused persons have all denied the 57  charges against them.

The State Attorney Lillian Omara said the inquiries are still ongoing and asked for an adjournment.

The defense lawyers attempted to apply for bail for the accused persons. Dr Joseph Muvawala was one of the sureties for Kisaka.

One of the accused persons, lawyer  Fred Muwema asked to do a marathon of  hearing the applications saying the circumstances of this case warrant hearing their request for bail .

Muwema said that the accused persons were brought to court by police at 11am but kept in court cells but the State Attorneys were not present for the matter to commence until late almost 4pm.

He said if it is not possible to entertain their respective bail applications, atleast the Court should be pleased to grant them temporary bail on grounds that their clients have been cooperating with police.

But the Chief Magistrate declined to go on with the hearing of the application arguing that it was already past the court working time.  She advised them to file formal applications.

Kisaka, Luyimbazi and Dr Okello were remanded until November 4th.

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