Four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President Patrick Amuriat, Ingrid Turinawe and five others on Friday appeared in Rukungiri Magistrate Court to answer charges over attempted murder, malicious damage of property and inciting violence charges preferred against them for their alleged role in the clashes that took place in Rukungiri on October 18, 2017.
The hearing failed to take off because the State attorney Grace Nabaggala amended the charge sheet to include two more charges of violence by stoning and Assault of police officers. Rukungiri FDC chairperson Virginia Kyarugahi was also added on the charge sheet to bring the total number of the accused to nine.
Chief Magistrate Moses Kule adjourned the hearing for the last time to 30th and 31st May 2019.
Besigye and his group were arrested as they were heading to attend campaigns for Amuriat, who was traversing western Uganda, soliciting votes, to enable him capture the FDC presidency.
The Police blocked them from accessing the stadium, sparking off the chaos. The party supporters resorted to throwing stones and the Police fired bullets and teargas to disperse the angry crowd.
The clashes led to the death of a one Edson Nasasira who was shot in Rukungiri municipality during a confrontation with police.
FDC supporters especially the youth donning the red ribbons that had come to symbolise national resistance to amendment of Article 102(b), kept coming back even forcing the police to flee.
On October 25, 2017, the accused appeared before court and were granted a Shs5 million cash bail each.
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