Eight activists sent to Luzira for assaulting female police officer during protests

The Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate Muhumuza Asuman has remanded eight activists to Luzira government prison on account of assault, inciting violence and holding unlawful assembly.

The group of activists under ‘Torture Survivors Movement UG’ is part of eleven others who were arrested on Wednesday for protests in downtown Kampala over delay in the prosecution of ministers pinned for receiving iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja Sub-region.

They were charged for assaulting a female police officer identified as ASP Musimenta Flavia who was performing her duties.

Appearing at court in a very timid say ,the accused represented by there lawyer Samuel Wanda all denied the charges and pleaded with the court to grant them bail. Their lawyer told court that his clients were tortured while in police custody and needed to seek medical attention immediately.

Eight activists sent to Luzira for assaulting female police officer during protests

The lawyer raised concern that some suspects are suffering chest pain while some are limping.

Wanda even presented sureties to court and requested for bail also on grounds that the accused are entitled to bail as a human right at the discretion of the presiding judicial officer.

In the same vein a one woman wailed in court saying that her mother who is mentally ill was arrested after trying to take a selfie to show how she was with the protesters but she was also arrested.and cried for help.

However, Wanda’s plea for bail hit a snug as court denied the accused the opportunity to apply for bail, remanding them until April 12, 2023 when their case comes up for mention.

His Worship Asuman also directed the prison authorities to allow the accused access to medication while in prison.

Eight activists sent to Luzira for assaulting female police officer during protests

Compiled by Rashidah Nakaayi