Following the High Court ruling issued last week by Justice Oumo Oguli staying the trial of Gen Sejusa until his miscellaneous application is disposed off; The General Court Martial has today complied with the ruling and stayed the hearing until the disposal of the main case in High court.
The General Court Martial Chairman Major Levi Karuhanga was this morning shown the order staying the proceedings from the High court by the defense counsel David Mushabe.
In response the chairman Maj Karuhanga said that his court would as requested put on hold the proceedings until the case in High Court is done.
Meanwhile, in the High Court ruling, Gen Sejusa was advised to reapply for bail in the High Court’s Criminal Division which his lawyers have already done.
As such, Judge Advocate Lt Col Gideon Katinda today advised court not to release Gen Sejusa as earlier on prayed for by the defense counsels, noting that this would violate the High court ruling since a free man cant seek bail. Gen Sejusa was thus remanded back to Luzira Prison until 31st April 2016.”
Major Karuhanga stated that despite being ordered by a higher court to put the case on hold, the High Court ruling didn’t order for his release, but asked the complainant to seek bail in another court, which he can only do while in prison.
Earlier during the session, there was a tag of war between state prosecution and the defense side on when the High Court order should be enforced.
The lead prosecutor Col Asingura Kagoro had asked court for more time to study the ruling since defense Counsel Mushabe had just served it to them.
“This is an ambush because this ruling was signed by the judge on 15th March 2015 but counsel decided to keep it with motives known only to him,” Kagoro submitted.
However, this was objected by Counsel Mushabe saying that a court order needs no reply and state has to simply obey it.
“There is no need for the state to go to the Library to study this court order because I have never heard it anywhere.”
Unlike in the past, today Gen Sejusa after the session spoke out to his friends and relatives before boarding the Prison bus.
“They have no other option but to release me” he said, waving his hands.