KAMPALA- Australia based Ugandan cardiologist Dr Aggrey Kiyingi has temporally gotten his freedom after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) dropping the terrorism charges against him.
Senior assistant DPP, John Baptist Asiimwe told court that charges against Dr Kiyingi, Muzafar Kaule and Sheikh Swaliden Balieya have temporally been discontinued until they are arrested.
“The three people are still at large and their hearing was discontinued by DPP until we arrest them. The withdraw letters were handed to the magistrate’s courts in Jinja and Mbale since they have never been committed to the High Court,” Mr Asiimwe told court.
Dr Kiyingi was facing charges ranging from terrorism, seven counts of murder, nine counts of aggravated robbery, one count of aiding and abetting terrorism, one count of crimes against humanity, four counts of attempted murder and one count of belonging to a terrorist organization with 38 suspects including remanded rebel leader of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Jamil Mukulu.
Mukulu is also accused of launching a rebellion when he formed ADF out of remnants of the National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (NALU), terrorising people in Western Uganda and areas of Rwenzori leading to death of many.
Mr Asiimwe also presented an amended prosecution adding on two suspects, Joseph Masereka and Adam Dean Luwooza.
He also asked court to give them more time in order to complete their full disclosures of evidence to the defense lawyers.
“Your honour we failed to meet the timelines given by court to disclose evidence due to logistical issues, we pray for two more weeks to enable us serve the remaining four lawyers and to also convene a meeting for parties to view both documentary and physical exhibits,” Mr Asiimwe told court.
Court also heard that lawyers representing victims are not yet facilitated by the judiciary which has constrained them to visit and interview their victims, which would be a vital step for this case to start -off.
Presiding single judge Eva Luswata, in her brief ruling, said that progress has been made since much of the disclosures has been done and no objection to the adjournment of the case by the defense lawyers.
“Time lines have been made and lawyers should make sure they attend the meeting as scheduled,” Justice Luswata ruled.
The pre-trial hearing resumes on August 15.
