The Constitutional Court has ruled that the testimony of former collaborators and members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is permissible in Court.
Today's ruling was in response to a request by lawyers of opposition leader, Kizza Besigye that the testimony of self-confessed members of the LRA should not be allowed in court.
Besigye and 22 suspected members of the little-known rebel group, the People's Redemption Army, have been charged with treason. Prior to the adjournment of the treason case in May to allow for the completion of the Constitutional Court petition, the prosecution produced Jennifer Aryemo, a self-confessed rebel collaborator, George Abedo, a former rebel fighter and the former Director of Operations of the LRA, Onen Kamdul, to testify of Besigye's involvement in treasonable acts.
The chairperson of the panel of judges presiding over the Constitutional Court petition, Justice Galdino Okello, said Article 132 of the Evidence Act permits people with a criminal record to testify in court. He said it was within the rights of the former LRA members to provide witness in the case.
Justice Okello further ruled that Besigye's lawyers erred in including the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in their Constitutional Court suit. He said the DPP cannot be sued as an individual, but could be taken to court through the Attorney General, who by law represents all Government officials.
Responding to a request that the Court should pronounce itself on the continued detention of 14 of Besigye's co-accused, Justice Okello said a constitutional interpretation on the matter will be made soon. The 14 men are still in jail despite being granted bail last year.
Hearing of the petition continues.
