The Makindye General Court martial has ordered for the arrest of Nakawa Municipality legislator Michael Kabaziguruka for what it calls skipping court.

The Registrar informed Court today that they had written to the Speaker of Parliament in regard to the matter after the legislator twice skipped court.

This was apparently after they contacted the legislator informing him about his case before the Court Martial but he vowed never to appear in the Court as advised by his lawyers until after the Constitutional Court had ruled on his petition before it.

Through his lawyers Lukwago and company advocates, Kabaziguruka wants the military Court dissolved, saying it is unlawfully established and has no powers to either try civilians or officers and men of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces as its jurisdiction is limited to instilling discipline in errant soldiers.

Constitutional Court Judge, Justice Remmy Kasule issued an interim order restraining the General Court Martial from hearing the treason charges against Kabaziguruka until it disposed of his petition.

However, the Court Martial says the order is invalid since the Constitutional Court later declared null and void all interim orders it previously issued, saying they were made in contravention of the constitution.

However, Justice Kasule five days later extended an interim order halting Kabaziguruka’s trial at the Court Martial, assuring him that the status quo would remain in place.

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The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has asked the Committee on Human Rights to visit and examine Nalufenya detention facility then give a report.

Nalufenya has been one of the most discussed places since last week following suspects’ complaints that they had been tortured from the facility.

“During last week, there has been a lot of cover in the media about torture by police. On behalf of the citizens, we are demanding justice, this is a crime against humanity, who are these people?” she told MPs during a plenary.

Among those is Kamwenge mayor Godfrey Byamukama, who was tortured to near-death before he was secretly sneaked in Nakasero Hospital after other public referral hospitals rejected him over his then worrying health state.

His fate remained a secret thanks to the tight security at his hospital ward where neither relatives nor friends were given access.

Other suspects detained at Nalufenya while appearing in Court earlier had complained about torture, pleading they be sent to Luzira maximum prison.

However, his plight became public last week sparking off public outcry both loacally and internationally.

The torture meted out on Byamukama and other suspects has since been condemned by international and local human rights observers.

The Inter-religious council also came out yesterday and condemned the torture of suspects.

Kadaga had earlier demanded that the police officers responsible of torturing suspects should be charged in an open court for their crimes are against humanity.

The committee on Human Rights consists of MPs including former police spokesman, Simeo Nsubuga of Kasanda South, Amodoi Cyrus Imalingat – Toroma, Adong Lilly – Nwoya, Achiro Lucy – Aruu North,  Chekwel Lydia –  Kween District, Mudukoi Fred Oduchu – Butebo, Oula Innocent (Brig) – UPDF, Nabilla Naggayi Ssempala – Kampala, Gilbert Olanya – Kilak South, Harold Tonny Muhindo – Bukonzo East, Komakech Lyandro – Gulu Municipality and. Akol Anthony – Kilak North.

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In the past, many media personnel have suffered under the hand of the rude police and other security agencies where many are manhandled and tortured.

However, after today’s dialogue, the media and security agencies, that might be a thing of the past.

Under the theme media coverage and national security in Uganda, Security Minister, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, convened a dialogue which brought together different media and security persons. The dialogue that was held in a conference room at the Office of the president is one media people will live to talk about.

Tumukunde said the media being ‘second in ‘command’ to security shouldn’t be bashed but rather utilized by government in telling the Ugandan stories.

He also appealed to his counterpart in government to own up whenever a mistake has been committed in line of duty rather than deny.He also fired against police for torturing people who are innocent.

“If the person being held by police is not the right one, have the courtesy to say you were wrong,” Tumukunde said to police. He also called out media on the aspect of fake news sighting that the role of media should be to promote social, and economic development.

The guest of honor Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the Prime Minister who spoke about the role of media in National Security. On the panel was also Kin Karisa, the Chief Executive Officer of NBS Television who gravely talked about the need to make our country a peaceful one. “This is our country we need to make it a better place to live in,” he said. Karisa also appealed to government to revive the weekly cabinet press briefing saying it previously the conferences had helped in dissemination of news about government programmes.

While speaking, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda emphasized the fact that a lot of information is kept in government when in fact it’s for public consumption. “Endeavour as much as possible to make information available,” Rugunda said to government communicators.

The dialogue between security personnel and media practitioners is meant to bridge the gap the two sides of common interest. Wheres journalist gather news for publication, intelligence or security agencies gather information for consumption making information the common good.

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