DELAYED JUSTICE: Winnie Byanyima, Bobi Wine Slum Judge Over Besigye’s Return To Luzira

By Our Reporter

KAMPALA, Uganda Feb 19 [SHIFTMEDIA] Tension and emotions ripped the High Court as incarcerated Rtd Col Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co accused Hajj Obed Lutale were ordered back to Luzira Maximum prison.

“This is an administrative order. If a prisoner is sick, I can’t continue with him. He might faint,” Judge Singiza Douglas ruled before adjourning the session for a few minutes. Security in and outside the High Court remained so high, and threatening.

Lord Mayor and senior counsel told the press after the adjournment that he wasn’t surprised with Singiza’s ruling. Similarly, National Unity Platform President Robert Kyagulanyi who was present in court said the same Singiza is the one who ruled that the UGX 500m given to Hon Matthias Mpuuga, the former Leader of Opposition in Parliament and Deputy NUP president was legal.

“I urge all Ugandans and those in the diaspora to continue piling pressure, Besigye was brought to court today because of the pressure, Ugandans have been piling. We are now heading to Kavule for prayers for Dr. Besigye and all other political prisoners under captivity,” said Kyagulanyi, flanked by LOP Joel Ssenyonyi and NUP Secretary General David Rubongoya.

Douglas Singiza is also on record for sentencing critic author Kakwenza to prison after his health was deteriorated  due to torture by security agencies, he would later rule a cash bail of UGX 50m before Kakwenza was granted bail.

Besigye, who has been on a hunger strike for days to protest his detention, has reportedly suffered significant health complications, with his wife, Winnie Byanyima, previously revealing that his kidneys were showing signs of damage.

“I came here expecting to return back home to treat my husband, but its shame that a judge can instead of sending a frail prisoner to get medical attention, decides to instead send him back to jail. We are all captives, because of a dictator President Museveni and his insane son who is heading the army as CDF,” said Byanyima.

She thanked Ugandans and all the opposition politicians for uniting together to pile pressure of government to have Besigye appear in Court today.

Despite his worsening health, the state has continued to hold Besigye in detention, prompting his lawyers to file for an immediate release order.

Besigye’s legal team insists that continued incarceration without proper medical care is a violation of his rights and are pushing for an urgent court ruling in his favor. In court also was human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza who was convicted for contempt of court at the Court Martial and sentenced to 9 months in prison.

Counsel Salongo Erias Lukwago said what government was playing was a “Ping Pong” game, between the Attorney, General, Principal Judge and DPP. “But nonetheless, we shall not relent, we are going back on the drawing board, and shall decide what steps to take immediately,” he said.