Six Buganda youths accused of torching a bus during the September 2009 riots may walk free after key prosecution witnesses refused to testify against them on Wednesday.
State Attorney Lino Anguzu informed presiding judge Ralph Ochan that the bus owners who would be the key witnesses to pin the youths lost interest in pursuing the case having been compensated for their burnt bus.
Anguzu also stated that these witnesses would not testify in this case because they fear that their transportation business would lose customers given the circumstances under which their bus was burnt. The bus belonged to GASO Transport Company.
Court also heard that the two independent witnesses refused to testify against these youths because the safety of their lives is not guaranteed by the sate having been intimidated before.
Three of the youths including Martin Bisaso, James Nuwagaba and Meddie Ssenvewo were in court yet Ronald Bukenya, Muhammad Kiddu and Mathias Yawe could not be traced by the police to attend trial, having been released on bail.
According to the prosecution, on September 10, 2009 at Nalukolongo, a group of rioters attacked, vandalized and set on fire a GASO bus Registration Number UAF 418F which was heading to Lwebitakuli in Sembabule district because of its yellow color similar to that of the ruling NRM party.
The prosecution adds that later 2 of them were heard bragging in a local bar of how they made a lot of money out of that looting.
The DPP will communicate the decision taken in respect of these youths on Friday this week.
Violence erupted in several towns in Buganda after government blocked Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi from attending a youth event in Kayunga district.
