Jinja Chief Magistrate Francis Kaggwa has summoned the Commissioner General of Prisons Dr. Johnson Byabashaija to appear and explain himself over his continued disobedience of the court’s orders.
Earlier, following a complaint from lawyers representing the Rwenzururu royal guards, the court ordered that 5 people including the Kingdom Prime Minister Johnson Thembo Kitsumbire be transferred from Kirinya to Luzira Prison where they could get proper medical attention.
Prime Minister Johnson Thembo Kitsumbire
However on Monday, their lawyers led by Caleb Alaka, Evans Ochieng and Samuel Muyizzi told court that prisons authorities had refused to heed to the court orders.
“It is unfortunate that the prisons authorities who are supposed to respect court orders are now violating them,” argued Alaka.
“We all thought it would be in the interest of court, and everyone to try a man who is alive.”
The defense lawyers argued that the court ought to take a stand on the continued violation of its orders by people who are supposed to enforce them.
“We pray that the Commissioner General himself comes here to explain,” added Counsel Muyizzi.
Some of the suspects disembarking the Prison truck
The Jinja Chief Magistrate in agreement with the defense lawyers said it was wrong for prisons to defy court orders.
“The Prisons Commissioner General is hereby summoned to show cause why on disobeying court orders,” Kaggwa ordered.
He ordered that the prisons boss appears on March 6, when the case resumes.
The 5 are charged together with the Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere for terrorism, murder, treason and robbery among others.
These are in relation to last year’s violence in the Rwenzori region that culminated in the attack on the Omusinga’s Buhikira Palace in Kasese by the police and UPDF leading to death of over 100 royal guards whereas others including the king were arrested in November.