Court has summoned Mbale resident district commissioner, Sulaiman Ogajjo Baraza and other key security officials to appear for cross-examination for blocking a radio talk show of Robert Kyagulanyi, the National Unity Platform (NUP) party president.
The others are Wesely Nganizi, the Elgon region police commander, Arafat Kato, the officer in charge of Mbale central police station, George Mwonda, Mbale district internal security officer and the representative of the attorney general’s chambers, Juliet Topacho.
The Mbale Grade One magistrate, Andrew Katumbuki issued the orders on Wednesday during the hearing of an application, in which Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine sued the accused person for blocking his radio talk show on the Mbale city-based BCU FM, two weeks ago.
Through his lawyers of Wameli & Co. Advocates, Kyagulanyi contends that the actions of the respondents, their agents and those who acted under them are not acceptable or demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society. He wants court to compel the respondents to personally compensate him for the violation of his rights, pay punitive damages for their high handedness and flagrant breach of the law.
On Wednesday, Kyagulanyi’s lawyer, Medard Lubega Ssegona told court that the applicants served them late with their defense, saying they want them to appear in person for cross-examination. He explained that they have serious questions that they need the respondents to answer before the case proceeds.
The respondent’s counsel, Peter Masaba didn’t object to the prayers by Kyagulanyi’s team. He, however, said they also have points of law, which they would want to address to the court.
In his ruling, Katumbuki asked the respondents to appear for cross-examination and adjourned the matter to August 26, 2020. Kyagulanyi told journalists shortly after the adjournment that he hopes for the best, saying they will not stop pursuing justice in the country.
Police used to teargas and live bullets to disperse hundreds of People Power activists who had gathered outside the court premises chanting People Power slogans. It took over an hour for Kyagulanyi to move out of Mbale court premises. Police escorted Kyagulanyi’s convoy up to Budaka town before letting him proceed to Kampala.
Rogers Taitika, the Elgon Region police spokesperson, says police had to use teargas to disperse people who had interfered with the traffic flow.
“When honourable Kyagulanyi came out of court people got excited and the started clogging around his car blocking the flow of traffic in town. So we had to use the teargas to see that they leave so that his fleet can easily move out of town. But you also know that they are not supposed to converge because of the current situation,” Taitika said.
By URN
