Court Adjourns Besigye’s Case after State Witnesses Fail to Show Up in Court

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Kizza Besigye, and Samuel Lubega Mukaaku, accused for inciting the public to violence on June 14, 2022

The Buganda Road Court has adjourned the case of former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President Dr. Kizza Besigye, together with political activist Samuel Lubega Mukaaku, for allegedly inciting the public to violence when they led a demonstration on June 14, 2022, in Kampala.

The prosecution requested adjournment on grounds that the police officers who were meant to testify in the matter as state witnesses were not present in court because of the ongoing NAM Summit, an excuse the counsel for the defendants, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, opposed, describing it as not only flimsy but also false since the Non-aligned Movement (NAM)/G77 + China Conferences ended.

Lukwago observed that the prosecutor had committed perjury, an offence that the trial magistrate should take note of.

While addressing the press, Dr.Kizza Besigye described the trial as his continued persecution by the regime as a political opponent and urged the courts as an arbiter to avoid being recruited and used in such schemes.

“No witness was presented, in spite of the strong warning by the Court during the last appearance. The prosecutor lied that his police witnesses were on duty, guarding the NAM and G77 summits that ended four days ago,” Besigye added.

The matter was adjourned to February 14, 2024, for further hearing.