By Arinda Nsheeka Wilfred
The Kabale magistrates court on Friday dismissed a case in which the former Forum for Democratic Change party president and other opposition political figures were accused of damaging police vehicles, hurting police officers and causing violence in Kabale town in 2012.
Dr Kizza Warren Besigye Kiffefe, a four-time Presidential candidate was charged with the Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa, FDCs secretary of mobilization Ingrid Turinawe, Kampala Lord mayor Elias Lukwago and Rukungiri Municipality MP Roland Mugume Kaginda.
According to the prosecution, the Opposition politicians caused commotion and violence during their rally in Kabale Municipal Stadium, and in the process, four police officers were badly injured, and three police vehicles were destroyed during the scuffles.
In his ruling, his worship Moses Kagoda said the accused didn’t do anything wrong by speaking politics – and that what they communicated didn’t intend to bring chaos.
He dismissed the six-year-old case saying the availed evidence wasn’t satisfactory to pin the accused. The case was dismissed in absentia of all the accused.
Lydia Turyahumura, the chairman of Forum for Democratic Change in Kabale district while speaking to Watchdog Uganda after the ruling said the court’s decision was long overdue.
Turyahumura accused the ruling government of failing the judiciary, wondering how their case would last for 6 years.
Dr Besigye on his previous appearance in court together with other opposition politicians threatened not to appear in Kabale court again, saying that government was behind the delaying of the ruling this case, and was intending to cripple activities of the Opposition party.
The Opposition figure founded Forum for Democratic Change in 2005 after falling out with his long time ally Yoweri Museveni and has since emerged a popular figure in the politics of the country.
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