High Court in Kampala has Friday rejected an application filed by Wameli and Company Advocates, seeking urgent hearing of a case challenging torture of suspects who are on remanded over the attempted murder of General Katumba Wamala.
Musa Ssekaana, the head of High Court Civil Division rejected the application on grounds that he was not satisfied with its urgency to the extent that it should be heard during the lockdown.
He however advised the lawyers to first write to the Prisons Authorities informing them how they would like to take their medical experts to prison to examine torture and failure to succeed, that is when they should return to court.
Sseaana added that the maximum time for such cases is within ten years, adding that not everyone whose rights have been infringed on during the lockdown requires a certificate of urgency to be heard during this time.
The application for certificate of urgency was filed on Thursday, minutes after filing an application in which the lawyers wanted the court to order for compensation and immediate release of eight suspects charged with the double murder of Brendah Nantongo Katumba the daughter of Katumba Wamala and his driver Haruna Kayondo.
The suspects include, Sheikh Yusuf Siraji Nyanzi, Hussein Sserubula, Muhammad Kagugube, Kamada Walusimbi, Siriman Ayuub Kisambira, Abdulaziz Ramathan Dunku, Habib Ramanthan Marjan and Huzaifa Wampa.
The lawyers wanted court to compensate and set them free on grounds of having been tortured in state custody between June 24th and July 2nd 2021 when they were under arrest.
Speaking to the press after court, the suspects' lawyers led by Anthony Wameli revealed that they will do as advised by the Judge in the application which was heard ex parte.
