The State on Tuesday morning slapped fresh charges of terrorism, aggravated robbery and attempted murder in addition to the earlier murder charge against the Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere, before Jinja Magistrates court.
Mumbere was last month arrested after the UPDF stormed his palace in Kasese and detained him at Nalunfenya police station and later charged him with murder of a police officer in March at Kidodo police station.
Mumbere is facing three more charges
This morning, State prosecutor Grace Ntege presented an amended charge sheet with 3 new charges of terrorism, aggravated, robbery and attempted murder on 11 counts before Chief Magistrate Francis Kaggwa.
The prosecutor told court that Mumbere together with others still at large with intention of intimidating the public…attacked Kidodo police booth and murdered Officer Kasimba on top of attempting to take the lives of 8 others.
Mumbere chats with his wife in the dock
The suspects are also accused of robbing an AK47 gun with 30 rounds of ammunition before using pangas and knives to kill the police officer.
Sick
The Omusinga arrived at court at 9:34 amidst tight security of 4 police vehicles. Dressed in a black suit without a necktie and a white shirt, Mumbere remained calm, occasionally waving to his subjects and supporters as he was led to the courtroom.
Mumbere consulting with his lawyers
He later spoke to his wife and other subjects from the Rwenzururu Kingdom. Represented by a team of lawyers led by Caleb Alaka, Evans Ochieng and Samuel Muyizi, Mumbere told court that his health had deteriorated after being denied access to his personal doctor.
Mumbere has been ramanded to Luzira Prison
Quoting Article 24 of the Constitution, Alaka said a suspect in detention is allowed to be visited by the next of kin, lawyers and personal doctor, which right he said cannot he denied the Omusinga.
“He is 64 years, has hypertension, diabetes and other ailments which require specialized treatment including storage of those treatments, “he noted.
“That has not happened and his health worsened.”
The lawyers told court that due to the nature of Mumbere’s sickness and age, he has been having a person to prepare for him a special diet before arrest.
“We pray that this court exercises its jurisdiction, looks at his health and orders that a fridge that keeps his medicine and a specialized cook from outside be allowed wherever the Omusinga is detained.”
They also asked that a personal doctor be allowed to access the Omusinga whenever he needs while in prison.
In response, the Jinja Chief Magistrate Francis Kaggwa accepted to grant the requests by Omusinga’s lawyers.
Mumbere was later remanded to Luzira prison until December 28 when he will appear again.
Earlier, police blocked former FDC presidential candidate Dr.Kizza Besigye from accessing court premises.
The police officers who had a scuffle with the opposition strongman said they could not allow him near court despite his pleas to have him attend court.
“I am here to listen to the proceedings of the case,” Besigye pleaded to the police officers. He was later arrested and detained at an unknown place.