Hundreds of city dwellers have this morning assembled at Makindye Chief Magistrates’ court to witness the alleged trial of Police boss Gen. Kale Kayihura on police brutality.
By 4:30am, a group of youth had arrived at court protesting against the IGP’s trial claiming he was innocent.
An alleged summons from the said court has been making rounds on social media indicating that Kayihura is expected to appear before the said court today, alongside 7 other senior police commanders for brutalizing Dr. Kiiza Besigye’s supporters in Kampala.
However, police has on several occasions insisted the summons was a false alarm and that the IGP’s office had not received any summons as regards to this matter.
This leaves speculation that the police chief might not appear as expected by many. The court was full to capacity with very many unknown people.
However, the IGP did not show up for the court session, but the Director public prosecution, DPP Mike Chibita asked to join the case on the government’s side and was allowed.
All complainants were not in court as their lawyers told court they were under pressure and threats from unknown people. Court was adjourned until 29th of this month.
Yesterday, three of the witnesses pulled out of the case claiming they had been bribed by some NRM big wigs and opposition leaders to testify against the IGP.
Rodgers Ddiba, Andrew Ssebitosi and Joseph Kaddu Ssekitoleko told journalists in Kampala on Tuesday that they received 800,000 Shillings each from a group of lawyers to be used as witnesses in a case filed by private lawyers over the recent beating of former presidential candidate Dr Besigye's supporters in Kampala.
They pinned lawyer Daniel Walyemera of Namugali & Walyemera Co. Advocates for bribing them to lie to court on the matter adding that they have since withdrawn their affidavits, an accusation Walyemera denies.
This leaves only two witnesses whose stand is also being doubted.
The IGP’s fans at court are holding placards reading; Community lives because police exists, Police needs justice not injustice, Gen. Kayihura protects the future, ani aluleta, among others.
Trouble for the IGP began when a section of police officers and crime preventers brutally caned Dr. Besigye’s supporters in Kampala and the IGP condoned it, claiming caning had been introduced to replace teargas.
The case was heard by Makindye Chief Magistrate Richard Mafabi.
