MUKONO – Lawyers representing Rtd Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza and his bodyguards Cpl Peter Busindiche & Pt. John Okurut have failed to show up in court on Monday, July 22.
Counsels Caleb Alaka, David Balondemu, Evans Ocheng, Jamiru Sanyu Mukama failed to show up yet the case was on Monday, July 8, adjourned to today.
Not even the IGP was able to produce the accused persons in court after their warrants of arrest were extended previously by the Mukono Chief Magistrate H/W Juliet Hatanga.
The resident state attorney Jonathan Muwaganya who was present told court that the accused and their lawyers have not appeared in court.
He said: “ Your Honor the accused together with their lawyers have not appeared in court, today we had come ready to request for an international warrant of arrest.”
“I, therefore, pray for the near date of adjournment.” He added
Counsel Micheal Aboneka the lawyer to Sgt Esther Namaganda speculated about the accused’s lawyers not appearing in court today saying maybe they are tired of the case.
He said that the state has asked the magistrate to extend the warrants of arrest.
“Since the lawyers and the accused haven’t appeared in court today and the magistrate in charge of the case is sick, we asked for a short adjournment,” Counsel Aboneka said
“If the IGP fails to produce the accused in court next time then we shall ask for an international warrant of arrest and the General will be arrested from wherever he is.” He added
He went ahead to say how disappointed he was with his colleagues in the profession.
“We are here every single time we are supposed to appear in court. It’s been six months now and the accused have never appeared in court to take a plea,” he said
On contacting counsel Jamiru Sanyu Mukama as to why they didn’t show up he said that the magistrate there was no point since she did not have the mother file.
He said: “We didn’t come because we already filed a complaint against the magistrate in continuing to hear proceedings yet she does not have the mother file.”
“She does not have powers to proceed with a matter when she is not in possession of the mother file.” He added
The accused persons’ lawyers filed a complaint against H/W Juliet Hatanga on both the cases at the Mukono Chief Magistrates court and the revision case at the High court of Mukono to the Judiciary Chief Inspector of Courts.
In the letter, the Chief Inspector of Courts James Karemani asks H/W Hatanga to update them on the case status.
