Mabati protesters denied bail as magistrate absconds court

The 8 protesters who a couple of weeks back demonstrated in demand for the immediate prosecution of Ministers implicated in the iron sheets diversion, have been denied bail.

The eight who have been on remand at Luzira prison have been hopeful that their fate will today be decided if the magistrate contends to their bail application.

However, the magistrate and state prosecutor were both not available prompting an adjournment of the case to a later date on May 2nd when they shall return to court again.

The suspects looked to be in dire condition due to the torture they have been undergoing while in detention.

NUP secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya who attended court expressed fury with the judiciary for wrongly prosecuting citizens demanding for the arrest of the actual thieves in cabinet.

“This morning at Buganda Road Court, we went to stand in solidarity with the activists who were violently arrested over two weeks back for protesting against the theft of Karamoja iron sheets. Unfortunately, the eight who are in detention at Luzira were told that the Magistrate and State Attorney are both not around to handle their bail application. They have been further remanded to 2nd May. Imagine being treated in this manner for simply calling on the arrest and prosecution of thieves! Thankfully they are all still strong and solid!,” he wrote.

Those who were remanded include Moses Bukenya, Nelson Ndyasiima, Sanyu Najjuma, and Sharif Kawooya.  Others are Augustine Batanda, Gilbert Nayebare, Shafia Ssegawa and Teddy Ssemakula.

Court heard that on March 28, 2023 at Ben Kiwanuka Street in Kampala District, the accused persons assaulted Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Flavia Nsimenta, an officer who at that time was executing her duty.