A Group of lawyers that dragged the Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura to court have Monday reiterated that contrary to the views of certain sections of the population, their case is not politically motivated.
The lawyers emphasized that no political leader motivated them to take the IGP to court to answer to alleged police brutality.
The lawyers under their umbrella body the Network for Public Interest Lawyers (NEPTIL) dragged Gen Kayihura together with seven of his top commanders to the Makindye Magistrates Court to respond to the accusations that the force was persecuting opposition supporters.
Kayihura who was expected in the court last week did not show up, and instead hundreds of his supporters stormed the court premises angrily protesting against the court case.
The lawyers under NEPTIL while addressing press on Monday at Makerere University stressed that their case against the IGP has no political bearing.
Following the resentment that was shown by Kayihura’s supporters at the court, the lawyers felt the urge to clear the air.
According to Patricia Atim the senior clinical instructor at NETPIL, this group is made up private prosecutors and is not in any way attached to any political party.
The private prosecutors under NETPIL she said are interested in the case because of Article 50 of the Ugandan constitution which stipulates that any person or organization is allowed to bring action against the violation of another person or groups’ human rights.
The case was on 15th Monday before the chief magistrate court, pending a ruling on whether or not the DPP can take up prosecution in accordance with its mandate as stipulated in Article 120 of the 1995 Constitution and section 13 of the Torture act.
The NETPIL lawyers asked the courts of law to do their work so that people can get justice and trust in them too.
Having been granted permission to take over the case, the layers urged the DDP to act in the interest of the public, bearing in mind the need to prevent abuse of legal processes.
“We also appeal to the public to appreciate the initiative of the private prosecutors as one seeking the protection of the rights of all Ugandans and also further appeal to the politicians to allow for a peaceful legal process to meet the end of justice” said Atim.