Nakawa Chief Magistrate, James Eremye Mawanda has adjourned to August 12th a case in which former presidential candidate Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye is accused of treason.
The move followed a plea by prosecution that investigations in such a case as treason must be exhausted, with the law allowing them 6 months to conclude investigations.
Chief magistrate Mawanda also advised Besigye to report to the deputy registrar as per his bail terms.
This morning, Besigye told court that his name has been tarnished due to the treason case. An emotional Besigye said banks no longer want to associate with him. “If I go to a bank, they can't lend me money as long as this case hangs over my head.”
He told court that his supporters are being arrested and tortured, referring especially to Tuesday’s events where the police flogged his supporters who stood by the road side to welcome him back from Luzira after he was granted bail by high court Judge Wilson Masalu Musene. Besigye says that the road to his home depicts a war zone with all kinds of security personnel intimidating people who appear to greet him.
Magistrate Eremye adjourned for one month to give the state enough time to do inquiries. He also told the accused that too much police deployment in his area is to keep law and order.
Besigye is on his way to FDC head offices where he is expected to address the press on the way forward.