Opposition legislators have asked the judiciary
to hear and dispose of cases involving their colleagues, saying they are being
used by Government to curtail their activities.
This came during a media briefing by the
opposition MPs led by the Leader of Opposition, Betty Aol Ochan.
The MPs spoke
about Labor Day celebrations, mistreatment of the opposition and the sugar bill,
which is before Parliament.
The Mukono Municipality MP, Betty
Nambooze noted that several opposition leaders are targeted and charged with
pending offences or old matters.
He cited the Kyadondo East MP, Kyagulanyi
Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine who was charged early this week with offenses
relating to the mobile money and social media tax protests last year.
She also cited Dr. Kizza Besigye, the former
Forum for Democratic Change president and Dr. Stella Nyanzi as some of those
with pending matters.
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The Judiciary spokesperson, Solomon Muyita attributed the
delayed disposal of the cases on several reasons. He however, said the
opposition can ask court to fix their matter for trial or dismissal.
Muyita says at times cases are handled on first
come first serves but also on many occasions whether or not the Directorate of
Public Prosecution is ready.
“Many cases have been dismissed, they can ask for speedy
trials by their lawyers. But the cases are different and come to the court on
different times, so the major thing they can do is engage with their lawyers
and the court to make sure the process is handled” Muyita told URN on a phone
interview.
Alex Otto
Freelancer
