The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has issued a production warrant directing the Uganda Prisons Services to produce Col (Retired) Dr. Kizza Besigye before it continues with the trial in which he is accused of inciting violence.

The production warrant was issued on Thursday December 5th 2024 by the court presided over by Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko following a request by the Prosecution.

State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi asked for a production warrant after Besigye failed to show up in the case in which he is jointly charged with fellow opposition politician Samuel Lubega Mukaaku.

The court first heard from lawyer Abubaker Ssekanjako who was holding a brief for Erias Lukwago. 

Ssekanjako informed the Court that Mukaaku was present in court however; Besigye who is the prime suspect in this case is currently on remand following his abduction in Nairobi and subsequent arraignment before the General Court Martial.

He said that was the justification for Besigye’s absence. In response, however, Mucunguzi said that Ssekanjako had not told them which prison facility Besigye was remanded to, such that they could easily apply for his production.

The Prosecution had also come with witnesses ready to testify against Besigye and the Police Officer who was at the Scene of the Crime Officer Detective Stephen Oryema stood in the witness dock. 

Consequently, a production warrant was issued for January 9th 2025.

Besigye was arrested in Nairobi last month together with Haji Obeid Lutale and arraigned before the General Court Martial in Makindye on charges of unlawful possession of ammunition and firearms as well as offences related to Treachery. He was subsequently remanded until December 9th 2024.

However, Besigye had other charges of inciting violence pending in the Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court for which he has been out on bail for two years without the trial being concluded.

By Our Reporter

5 Dec 2024

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