The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
The cyber harassment case against Makerere researched Dr.Stella Nyanzi before Buganda Road Magistrates Court has been adjourned to May 10 to await the out come of a request she made in the High Court seeking a review of the no-bail-yet orders of trial magistrate James Eremye Mawanda.
Chief Magistrate Eremye on May 10 directed that Nyanzi goes on remand at Luzira Prison without entertaining her application for bail. The magistrate only promised to hear her bail application after determining the prosecutors request to have her mental status ascertained.
Dr. Stella Nyanzi was present on Tuesday in a court that was fully parked with activists, including former Uganda presidential candidate Dr.Kiiza Besigye.
Nyanzi’s lawyers Nicholas Opiyo and Eron Kiiza raised concerns against prison authourities denying Nyanzi access her literature including books, handwritten notes and even a Bible, on top of refusing her lawyers to have private client conversation.
But Prosecution’s Jonathan Muwaganya informed court that he had no instructions to respond and there was no way court could make a blanket order against the prison authorities.
Its against this background that magistrate Eremye ruled that he could not pass judgement against prison authorities “who are competent enough to respect human rights”, saying the fact Nyanzi’s lawyers already made a complaint to them, they should wait feedback from them.
Opposition figure Kizza Besigye is present in Court for detained academic & activist Stella #Nyanzi‘s appearance #Uganda pic.twitter.com/Gkear98NK9
— Michael O’Hagan (@micoh) April 25, 2017
Nyanzi is alleged to have committed the offences she faces between January and March this year, when she willfully and repeatedly using electronic communication by posting offensive messages via Facebook with an intention of disturbing the peace and the privacy of President Yoweri Museveni.
