The High Court judge hearing the treason case against Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere, has pulled out of the case.
Citing disrespect for her orders, Jinja High Court Judge Eva Luswasta withdrew from the case following a meeting she had with other judicial officers; Justice Michael Eludu and court Registrar Jesse Byaruhanga.
Apparently, Luswata informed her colleagues she had pulled out of the case because of Mumbere’s re-arrest by police shortly after she granted him bail.
She added that she couldn’t continue with such a case where she is humiliated by disrespecting her orders.
Luswata granted Mumbere bail on January 13 after he presented six sureties including five Members of Parliament from his region led by the Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza and his former premier Constantine Bwambale.
The other MPs are Robert Centenary of Kasese Municipality, Tonny Muhindo of Bukonzo East, William Nzoghu of Busongora North and Atikins Katusabe from Bukonzo West.
He was however re-arrested as he exited court premises. The DPP had earlier opposed Mumbere’s bail and requested for his transfer to International Crimes Division of the High Court for his bail hearing.
However, Justice Luswata agreed with King Mumbere’s lawyers that at that stage when the king had not yet been committed for trial before the ICD, he can appear before any High Court judge to seek bail. She went ahead and granted him bail.
Speaking out on Mumbere’s re-arrest then, police spokesman, Andrew Felix Kaweesi defended the re-arrest, sayingthat sometimes evidence of new crimes committed by those who have just been set free comes to light and the police and other security agencies are compelled to rearrest them.
