Bobi Wine becomes the first in Uganda’s judicial history of tried by video conferencing

By Olivia Nabaggala

2^nd May 2019

The case in which the Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is charged with disobedience of statutory duty has gone on record to be the first case conducted by Video Conferencing.

Buganda Road Court Grade One magistrate Esther Nahirya, on April 29^th 2019 remanded Kyagulanyi to Luzira prisons until today May 2^nd to re-appear for hearing of his bail application; however court has had him in the dock right from Luzira prisons via on line prosecution.

The state alleges that on July 11, 2018 Hon. Kyagulanyi and his brother Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu, David Lule, Edward Sebuwufu and others still at large, allegedly disobeyed lawful orders by holding an illegal protest contrary to section 116 of the Penal Code Act.

Bobi Wine, held a demonstration in downtown Kampala against the Shs 200 excise duty for use of Over the Top (OTT) services (commonly known as social media tax), saying it was unfair since Ugandans were already paying for taxes on airtime.

His lawyers led by Asuman Basalirwa want to present sureties as he applies to be released on bail.

Today’s hearing in a fully packed court has had some interruptions first with the technology and the audience, that has been murmuring whenever state made what sounded unfair to them prompting the magistrate to interject warning them to behave because court is not a rally.

Security is tight in and around Buganda Road Court and in Kampala to ensure that no body tries to abuse the law.