Court adjourns journalist’s assault case against senior police officer in Uganda

By

Robert Ssewankambo

The court at Buganda Road in the Ugandan capital of Kampala has adjourned a case in which Journalist Andrew Lwanga was allegedly assaulted by Joram Mwesige a former Division Police Commander.

Counsel for the Defence George Spencer made an oral application seeking a two week adjournment on grounds that “the accused has a serious ailment and has been advised by his doctors to have a bed rest.”

The Prosecution led by Deborah Itwau objected to the application on the basis that she had a witness in court (Andrew Lwanga) and that seeking an adjournment was intended to delay the due process of court.

The trial magistrate Sanyu Mukasa granted the defence’s application and adjourned the case to 25^thFebruary 2015 for further hearing.

The Prosecution alleges that on 12^thJanuary 2015, while covering a demonstration by a group of unemployed youths who were heading to Police Headquarters in Naguru to deliver a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) General Kale Kayihura allowing them to hold rallies in different parts of the City, Andrew Lwanga was assaulted by Joram Mwesige, the former Division Police Commander of Old Kampala Police Station.

Lwanga sustained injuries of the head and was admitted at Mulago National Referral Hospital and thereafter transferred to St. Francis Hospital Nsambya for over two weeks.

Related articles:

https://tuckmagazine.com/2015/01/14/senior-police-officer-assaults-two-journalists-uganda/

https://tuckmagazine.com/2015/01/16/journalists-uganda-protest-police-brutality/

https://tuckmagazine.com/2015/02/03/ugandan-journalist-attacked-police-now-released-hospital/

https://tuckmagazine.com/2015/02/09/journalist-testifies-police-chief-uganda/

Robert Ssewankambo

Robert Ssewankambo is a Ugandan writer. Working currently on a freelance basis, he is a regular contributor to major newspapers in Uganda and electronic online magazines and media sources in Africa, such as the Bukedde newspaper, Hindered radio, Red Pepper, Eddobozzi newspaper and African Interest online.

For media enquiries, contact Robert at the following email address: [email protected]