The Makindye Magistrate’s court has allowed the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to formally file application for consideration in the case against the Inspector General of Police General Kale Kayihura, who is accused of allegedly failing to superintend his subordinates who were involved in beating the opposition Dr Besigye’s supporters and bystanders, on July 12 and 13.
This was after lawyers seeking the prosecution of Gen Kayihura faulted the Makindye Resident State Attorney for arrogating himself powers to take over IGP’s prosecution.
The IGP was dragged to court by a group of 20 lawyers, led by Abdullah Kiwanuka of Lukwago and Company Advocates, who today tasked court to explain why Gen Kayihura and his co-accused, all senior police officers above the rank of Superintendent, did not turn up in court.
But magistrate Richard Mafabi saved the day, asking the DPP to instead file the formal application, before he adjourned the hearing to August 29.
Meanwhile, scuffles ensued between rival supporters of Gen Kayihura and those of his pursuers including Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and city lawyer and President of opoosition JEEMA party Asuman Basalirwa after the magistrate announcing the adjournment.
Intriguingly, some people carrying placards in support of the IGP were overheard asking why no Ugandan had sought the prosecution of KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi, who they claimed, should also have been prosecuted, ostensibly for the death of two-year old Ryan Semaganda in November 2014 and the wanton beatings of street vendors in the city by KCCA law enforcement officers. They related Musisi’s ‘failure to supervise her subordinates’ including that of the driver of the KCCA vehicle and the enforcement officers, to charges Gen Kayihura is currently facing.
Baby Semaganda was crashed by a KCCA car in the precincts of the City Hall where his mother Mariam Namutebi, a street vendor, had earlier been arraigned before the city court for illegally hawking merchandise in the city.
