Former presidential candidate also proprietor of the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue ( NEED) Joseph Kabuleeta has been arraigned before Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court and remanded to Luzira prison on charges of promoting sectarianism among the Banyarwada , Banyankole and Bahima .
This is after chief magistrate Neumbe Ritah Kidasa informed him that she was constrained to hear his bail application because of time, as she had other court matters to attend to.
Kabuleta and his Lawyer Remmy Bagenda were then advised to apply for bail on the next adjournment date of 14th/December 2022, despite repeated pleas to reconsider her decision and release him on bail due to the fact that he has to take his daily medication.
The magistrate has advised that Kabuleeta can access his doctor while in prison.
50 year old Kabuleeta was arrested from his party offices at Bugolobi on Monday this week, for an offence he allegedly committed 5 months ago in May 2022.
Prosecution led by Doreen Elima states that through a video he posted on his official YouTube page, Kabuleeta made statements likely to cause disaffection, hostility, raise discontent and ill-feelings among the Banyarwada , Bahima and Banyankole.
Kabuleeta however denied the charges, as the state prosecutor Doreen Elima says is still investigating.
Kabuleeta is being charged alongside a one Prossy Ayebare who has been absent in court, and hence criminal summons have been issued to enable her appear in court on the next adjournment date.
According to police, Kabuleeta’s arrest was as a result of him failing to honour summons issued to him to report to Kampala Metropolitan police Headquaters on 3rd November, 2022 for an interview and statement recording on those charges.
This follows a Police General inquiry that began on 14th/June 2022 by the Directorate of criminal Investigations to verify the allegations that Kabuleeta and others still at large made utterances which were likely to create sectarianism among members of the public .
NEED’S party’s Secretary General Asuman Odaka expressed dissatisfaction with the Magistrate’s decision.
Once convicted Kabuleta is reliable for imprisonment of not exceeding five years.
Reported by: Betty Zziwa
