Mbale Grade One magistrate Andrew Katumbuki has indefinitely adjourned the matter in which the Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine dragged the Government of Uganda to Court over continuous suffocation of his freedom of speech and association.
Earlier this month Police and other security organs blocked Bobi Wine and his group from appearing on Mbale BCU FM Radio to sensitise people about his political party, National Unity Platform (NUP) and the 2021 general elections. The MP had paid Shs 1.2million to appear on the two hour show.
Appearing before court for cross examination of the Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola, Mbale District RDC Ogajo Barasa Suleiman, the district police commander (DPC) Fred Ahimbisibwe, the regional police commander (RPC) Wesley Nganizi, the DISO Lt George Mwonda as well as the OC station, Mbale Central Police Station Kato Arafat, the Magistrate adjourned the matter to a date which will be communicated.
Before the court session, the police deployed heavily and prevented Bobi Wine and his team from accessing court for several hours until the people gathered in multitudes. As soon as a few of them were let in, teargas and live bullets were yet again fired to disperse the people- others were severely injured.
Speaking after the Court session, Bobi Wine said; it is an unfortunate twist of events, the Magistrate declined to hear the matter and adjourned it sine die, ostensibly until the COVID situation normalizes.
“We objected to this because firstly, this is a human rights case which must be heard and determined expeditiously. Secondly, the same court has been having hearings with even more people in there. In fact, only 10 minutes later, in the same courtroom, another matter came up and the Magistrate heard it in the same chambers with the same number of people present.” he said
“We are going to invoke some administrative remedies to see that justice is served in this case. But President Museveni and his men must always be reminded that Ugandan courts are not the alpha and omega. That is why we are in advanced stages of ensuring that these cases are also heard by international courts and tribunals.” He said.
