The Buganda Road Magistrates Court has declined to issue criminal summons against former FDC president Dr Kizza Besigye as requested by the Prosecutors.
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.
The Prosecution accuses them of having staged an illegal assembly at Kikuubo – Shauriyako Parish in Kampala Central Division, with the intention of inciting the public into violence.
Today the case came up for mention before Grade One Magistrate Asuman Muhumuza but Dr Besigye was absent.
The State Prosecutors led by Ivan Kyazze asked Court to issue criminal summons against him and confirmed that today they had come with part of the evidence they intend to rely on to Prosecute Besigye and his co accused Mukaaku.
Among the partial evidence which has been shared to Besigye’s lawyers is a , charge sheet, statements from 11 witnesses majority of whom are Police Officers , his vehicle profile and a search certificate.
In response Besigye ‘s lawyers led by Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa told Court that their client was away in Ntungamo District, to attend the burial of his long time friend former Minister of Cooperatives Yonasani Kanyomozi who died on Sunday last week.
The deceased Kanyomozi was a Minister in Obote’s regime from 1981 to 1985.
Magistrate Muhumuza accepted Muyizzi’s submission noting that it was satisfactory, and according declined to issue criminal summons.
Muhumuza also noted that if Besigye was present today, he would have dismissed the charges against him and Mukaaku.
He said that he had in the previous court session directed the Prosecutors to share with the Defense lawyers the evidence they intend to rely on but since then they have not complied with his directive.
As such, he adjourned the case to October 24th 2022.
Reporter: Betty Zziwa
