The defense counsel in the case where 14 people are acussed of attacking Kabamba Barracks has asked court to punish the second Prosecution Witness Mr Ssemwanga Lutaaya who was summoned to appear in court today but failed due to unclear reasons.
Appearing before the General court martial chaired by Lt Gen Andrew Gutti, the lead Prosecutor Maj Raphael Mugisha informed court that their witness who was expected to appear in court for cross examination has not been able to make it promising that he would be present in court next week.
Responding to this, Counsel Ssemawanga asked court to react on the delayed trial of his clients thus describing Prosecution’s act of seeking for adjournment as a total abuse of the court procedure.
“I pray that this honorable court’s members disregard the evidence by this witness who has been on stand for so long. It’s unfair to my clients who have been in custody for over 2years.”
Semwanga asked court to task the prosecution to summon to witnesses in the next court sitting in that once one does not turn up the second one may appear thus saving court’s time
Fredrick Ssemwanga who works with Uganda Broadcasting Cooperation (UBC) is the second prosecution witness in this matter who has the responsibility to tender in court transcribed content of the Audio recording that is alleged to contain details from the meetings aiming at overthrowing President Museveni.
In the same court sitting journalists have been banned from any further usage of their gadgets in court. The directive was issued by the court chairman Lt Gen Andrew Gutti without providing any reason
The matter has been adjourned to 13th December 2016 for further hearing
Prosecution alleges that the fourteen, Lt. Col Phillip Frank Eguma, Pte Kenneth Ssekajja, Capt Halman Ba, Lt. Ronald Mwavu, Sgt. Nduga Musaazi, Nasim Namuzimuule (female), Marvin Ssemwogerere Kato, John Lumala Salongo, Patrick Kibuuka, Solomon Matovu, Peter Kibirige, Herbert Biyimbwa, Ali Mukiibi and Francis Kiwanuka and others still at large between the months of February and May 2013 in the various places of Kampala, Wakiso, Masaka, Luweeo and in Nairobi Kenya, consciously omitted to disclose vital information about recruitment of people to engage into activities intended to prejudice the security of the defence forces by attacking the armored warfare barracks in Mubende district.