Eight protesters have been remanded to Luzira prison for assaulting a policewoman on duty during the protest against the delays of bringing criminal charges against Ministers and MPs implicated in the Karamoja iron sheets scandals by the Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court.
The protesters were arrested on March 28th, at Ben Kiwanuka, Kampala and on March 30th, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Asuman Muhumuza.
According to Jean Nayebare, the lead State Prosecution, on March 28, 2023, at Ben Kiwanuka Street in Kampala District, the accused persons assaulted ASP Flavia Nsimenta while on duty.
“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,” he said.
The protesters on remand were identified as Moses Bukenya, Nelson Ndyasiima, Sanyu Najjuma, Sharif Kawooya, Augustine Batanda, Gilbert Nayebare, Shafia Ssegawa and Teddy Ssemakula.
Nayebare requested for an adjournment for purpose of gathering more evidence against the suspects in the case.
However, the protesters’ lawyer Samuel Wanda informed the court they had been tortured and therefore require medication while in detention.
The Uganda Prisons Services was ordered to ensure that the suspects received proper medication, and the hearing adjourned the hearing of their case was adjourned until April 12, 2023, while the investigations continue.
The protesters are members of the Revolution Against Dictatorship (RAD) and Torture Survivors Movement pressure groups.