Nine suspects in the March 21st murder of a police officer, John Michael Ariong, have today appeared before Buganda Road Court on fresh charges of managing an unlawful society leading to the death of the officer and injuring two others.
The nine are charged together FDC leader Kizza Besigye, Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, Kawempe Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa and Ingrid Turinawe, the FDC women’s league chairperson. Erias Lukwago, the Kampala Lord Mayor who faces similar charges, is yet to take plea as he is reportedly out of the country.
Assistant Inspector of Police John Michael Ariong was reportedly stoned to death at Mini Price in downtown Kampala. This was during a riot that followed the arrest of opposition politicians including Besigye and Lukwago among others.
Two other police officers, AIP Wabwire and Police Constable Julius Olweny were injured.
Two days after Ariong’s death, Nakawa Grade Two Magistrate Mackay Opolot on March 23rd charged nine people with Ariong’s and consequently remanded them.
Those remanded include Twalib Kakande, Herod Kaija, Robert Kavuma, Isma Kirya, Yoweri Kintu, Shanita Nakitende, Muhammed Ssebugwawo, Ronald Mpindi and Abdul Kayondo.
But while appearing before Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate, Eleanor Mary Khainza, on Friday, they all denied the fresh charges. Khainza granted bail to five of them but they could not be set free since they still face murder charges.
Khainza accordingly ordered them to return to court on April 17th for the mention of their case. She also made an order to prison authorities to refer Kakande Twalib, one of the suspects, to Mulago Hospital for treatment for injuries he sustained during his arrest.
