As we kickstart 2017, we won’t forget that 2016 has been among those years that will never be forgotten by the legal fraternity as well as the general public in Uganda due to its rare cases that have been brought in various courts of law.
We take a look at some of the major court cases that have happened in 2016.
Election Petition
Among the first cases of the year was the Election petition filed in Supreme Court by one of the 2016 Presidential aspirants, Hon Amama Mbabazi challenging the victory of president Museveni.
Nine Supreme Court judges, led by Chief Justice Bart Katureebe ruled that the evidence was not enough to prove that there was rigging and held that Museveni was the legally elected president.
Besigye Treason Case
A video with a person alleged to be Dr. Kiiza Besigye taking an oath as President sparked fire, causing the arrest of the former FDC presidential candidate and saw treason charges slapped on him.
Besigye was arrested and taken to Moroto from where he was later transferred to Luzira prison and later released on bail in July by High court judge justice Masalu Musene.
The case is still before Nakawa magistrate’s court where he still appears for mention as well as reporting to high court registrar once a month as one of the bail terms.
Pine Car Bond Murder
Away from Politics, there came the case where Pine Car Bond boss, Muhammad Sebuufu and others including former CPS Kampala DPC, Aaron Baguma are accused of murdering city businesswoman Dona Katushabe.
The case became the talk of town when Baguma continued executing duties of the DPC at a police station where investigations into the same matter were being carried out.
Court issued him criminal summons which he didn’t honour before issuing a warrant of arrest for the police boss.
On 30th August, Baguma surrendered himself to court silently and Buganda road court grade one magistrate Joan Aciro remanded him to Kigo prisons.
On 6th September 2016 he was committed to High court with 3 others before being released on bail on 8th September.
Sebuufu who had been earlier denied bail used Baguma’s precedent and he was granted bail by the
same judge justice Wilson Masalu Musene.
Kasiwuukira Murder Case
It’s in this year on 12th October that High court judge justice Wilson Masalu Musene delivered his judgment in a case where three people including Sarah Nabikolo Sebuunya (widow), Asharaf Jadeni (Police officer) and Sandra Nakungu were accused of murdering a city tycoon Eriya Bugembe Sebunya aka Kasiwukira at his home in Diplomatic zone Muyenga.
In his judgment the judge convicted Jadeni and Nakungu sentencing them to 20 yrs each but acquitted the widow Nabikolo on grounds that no corroborative evidence was produced pinning her in the murder.
The judgement left people with mixed feelings whereby the two convicts on 14th October appealed on both sentence and conviction well as also the DPP appealed against the acquittal of Sarah Nabikolo. Both appeals have not been fixed for hearing.
Gen. Sejusa Case
General Sejusa on 2nd February was court martialed and charged with insubordination and absence without official leave.
He was later rushed to High court civil division which interpreted that it was wrong to try him in an army
court therefore ordered his trial to be halted and advised him to seek for bail in criminal division of High court which justice Musene released him from Luzira prison.
On 28th May 2016, Justice Oumo Oguli suspended Sejusa’s trial in Makindye General court martial and ordered government to pay him compensation worth 750 million shillings for illegally detaining him in Luzira prison.
The judge ordered the army to honor Sejusa’s retirement application although the Attorney General appealed against this decision and it has never been fixed for hearing.
Kabaziguruka Case
As people were still surprised about the Sejusa’s trial on 28th June Nakawa Municipality legislator, Hon Michael Kabaziguruka was arrested and charged of treachery before Makindye General court martial.
He was charged alongside 25 UPDF officers but he refused to take plea challenging his trial in an army court. He was remanded to Kigo Prison from where he was released on bail by High court Justice Yasin Nyanzi.
On 17th November 2016, Kabaziguruka petitioned constitutional court challenging court martial’s powers to try civilians and is expected to be fixed for hearing in 2017.
Meanwhile hearing of the case before general court martial will resume on 18th January 2016.
Sejusa Aides Conviction
On 5th July 2016, Makindye General Court martial chairman Lt Gen Andrew Gutti convicted six sejusa aides of treachery where it was reported that in 2013 they engaged in a plot to overthrow President Museveni’s government.
The six, Coporal Grace Nasasira, Coporal Godfrey Karuhanga, Frank Ninsiima, Moses Nuwagaba, Abel Twinamatsiko and James Nayebare were sentenced to 15 years in jail which they challenged in
court martial Appeal through their lawyer David Mushabe.
DPC Assaulting Journalist
On 18th November 2016, Buganda Road grade one magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu ruled that former Old Kampala DPC accused of assaulting WBS Journalist Andrew Lwanga had a case to answer because the evidence which was brought by prosecution pins him.
On 7th December he defended himself, denying the charges and the case will resume on 5th January 2017.
Public Service Corruption Case
It was November 2016 when Anti-corruption High court judge Justice Lawrence Gidudu convicted the three Ministry of Public service officials of swindling 88 billion.
These were former Permanent secretary, Jimmy Lwamafa who got 7 years in jail, Kiwanuka Kunsa the
commissioner for compensation 5 years and Christopher Obey a former Principle Accountant who was given 10 years because the losses originated from his mistakes.
The tri was also ordered to refund 50 billion, a decision which they appealed against.
Murder of Muslim Clerics
The murder trial of 14 Muslim clerics including tabliq leader Sheikh Yunus Kamoga who are accused of murdering sheikh Hassan Kirya and Sheikh Mustapha Bahiga is still ongoing before three judges of international crimes court.
Prosecution has so far produced more than 20 witnesses and further hearing of the case will be on 11th
January 2017.
Kato Lubwama Academic Papers
Although a number of Electoral petitions have been handled in court, things have not went well on the side of Rubaga South legislator, Hon Kato Lubwama after Justice Oumo Oguli granted Buwembo chance to challenge Kato’s election after the expiry of mandatory period.
Lugogo Shooting Case
Despite the fact that they have been many, we can’t forget the famous Forest mall murder of Kenneth Akena which left three people; Mathew Kanyamunyu, Joseph Kanyamunyu and a girlfriend Cynthia Munwangari are in Luzira Prison after being charged with murder before Nakawa chief magistrates court.
Kasese Clashes
Omusinga of Rwenzururu on December 13th was charged of treason, aggravated murder, murder and attempted murder with over 100 others including royal guards and witch doctors before Jinja magistrates court.
Unlike other Prisoners Mumbere has been the first prisoner on remand to be allowed to have a chef, a refrigerator in his room as well as Television set.