Uganda young Democrats, UYD members who were recently arrested at parliament last week were Tuesday sent back to Luzira by Buganda Road court Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro amid dramatic scenes at court.
The five youth, Moses Bigirwa, Allan Kitonsa, Juma Kayondo, Harunah Nsibuka and Hakim Kizza Saula were arrested at Parliament protesting extravagance of members of Parliament.
On Tuesday, the youth showed up for their bail application hearing but it was denied by Aciro who argued that the documents presented by sureties were fake.
Party spokesperson Kenneth Paul Kakande says the party is concerned about what he calls the selective application of the rules because the NRM people marched and accessed Parliament.
“This kind of approach will divide and disunite the nation. We encourage this spirit of activism and call upon Ugandans to do whatever they can in their capacities to occasion regime change” he said.
During yesterday’s court session the youth refused to step down from the dock claiming Bail is their constitutional right and that they were suffering under harsh conditions in Luzira.
They attacked the state prosecutor Peter Mugisha and nearly lynched him for blocking their chance of being granted freedom.
The party maintains that prior to their activities at parliament which led to their arrest, the youth sought permission from the police as by law established meaning police’s only role was to ensure that in exercising their right, they were protected and not arrested and harassed.
The youth were arrested and in a march to parliament to deliver a petition in which they demanded parliament to shelve the Bill aimed at extending the age of retirement for the judicial officers and electoral commission, a Bill that since been rejected and sent to the trash can.
