Some of the crying women said that Besigye is likely to die from incarceration like former Kawempe North Member of Parliament for Muhammad Ssegirinya who died last month after 16 months in jail prior to taking to his death bed at Lubaga Hospital.
The prosecution accuses Besigye and Mukaaku of inciting violence by rallying people in Kikuubo Shauriyako Parish, Kampala, and urging them to protest against the high cost of living. However, both Besigye and Mukaaku have denied the charges.
The warrant was issued on Thursday by Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko following a request from State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi. Mucunguzi sought the warrant after Besigye, who is jointly charged with opposition politician Samuel Lubega Mukaaku, failed to appear in court.
In the contested report, the Scene of Crime Officer Oryema stated that June 14th 2022 at about 1300c ,information was received from the oyc operation CPS Kampala ASP David Nahamya that there was alleged case of incitement of violence at Namirembe Road by Dr. Besigye and Lubega who were in the motor vehicle registration number UAK 773F Prado TX white in colour.
The charges were instituted a year ago after protests that Besigye led, against commodity prices that were skyrocketing at the time. The increase in prices which started in November 2021 saw prices of fuel increase by almost 2,000 Shillings a litre and edible oil prices almost doubled.
The order arises from an application filed by Besigye in the criminal proceedings instituted against him and activist Samuel Walter Lubega Mukaaku following their arrest on June 14, 2022, on charges of inciting violence. The two were arrested for leading protests against skyrocketing commodities prices at Kikuubo Shauriyako Parish in Kampala Central Division.
Ssegirinya had been accused of staging a protest at Mini-Price in Kampala against the outcome of last year's presidential election and demanding the release of National Unity Platform supporters most of whom were at that time detained in various facilities across the country.
Besigye is jointly charged with former Rubaga South Constituency Parliamentary Candidate Samuel Lubega Mukaaku over offenses stemming from their June 14th, 2022 protest against the skyrocketing prices of commodities in the country.
According to the post, Segirinya cautioned that the aftermath of any such action would be 40 times worse than the 1994 Rwandan Genocide in which an estimated one million people were killed in a space of 100 days.
For this particular case, Ssegirinya was arrested on March 22, 2021, from Mini Price, Kampala while staging a protest against the outcome of the January presidential elections and demanding the release of National Unity Platform supporters who were detained in various facilities across the country.
Besigye together with former Rubaga South Constituency Parliamentary Candidate Samuel Lubega Mukaku have today been remanded by Court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Asuman Muhumuza.
According to Besigye, he is not satisfied with this order (of paying 3 million shillings) too and he is going to discuss with his lawyers to see if it can be challenged further.
The remand of the six people comes a few days after the former Forum for Democratic Change Party President Dr Kizza Besigye with whom they subscribe to the same party was also charged of similar charges and remanded to Luzira prison.
Erastus Kibirango the defense lawyer for Ssebalamu said that he was not notified about his client’s court appearance and this was intended to ensure he is remanded without applying for bail.
Permission was granted to the legislator who was appearing via a video conferencing link from Kigo prison to show court his foot which has multiple wounds. The Magistrate directed the prisons authorities to give him medical treatment and they informed court that they are already managing him.
The Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis dismissed the charges following a request by Bajjo's Lawyers, Erias Lukwago and Shamim Malende. They told court that the prosecution led by Ivan Kyazze has failed to produce witnesses to testify against the accused.
However, on Monday court failed to proceed with the trial after the defense lawyers led by Medard Lubega Ssegona told the magistrate that the state had failed disclose how they intend to proceed with prosecution. Ssegona specifically argued that the state was erroneously reinstating a case of 2010, which was heard and dismissed by court because of poor prosecution and lack of evidence against his client.
