The Military Court, presided over by Brigadier Robert Freeman Mugabe, remanded the accused until January 14, 2025, when the court will decide whether it has jurisdiction to try the case.
In his ruling, General Court Martial Chairperson Brigadier Robert Freeman Mugabe declined the request to produce Eron Kiiza, stating that as a convict, Kiiza could not execute legal duties. Mugabe noted that the Judge Advocate could advise if this position is incorrect.
The first batch of individuals arriving were journalists, most of whom had gathered outside the gate by 7 a.m. The journalists waited briefly across the road until a soldier in charge of the media arrived. He registered them and escorted them inside.
On Tuesday afternoon, the prosecution, led by Col. Raphael Mugisha, informed the Court, presided over by Brigadier Robert Freeman Mugabe, about the development. Mugisha explained that during the course of investigations, new details had emerged.
According to the prosecution, led by Col. Raphael Mugisha, only lawyers from AF Mpanga Advocates—Fredrick Mpanga, Apollo Katumba, and Ernest Kalibala—were formally instructed to represent the accused.
“Go to Makindye Court Martial today at 11 am; you will find the answer you need,” said Brig. Felix Kulaigye, the UPDF spokesperson, when contacted by Uganda Radio Network regarding Besigye’s whereabouts.
Irene Nankya, the widow of Christopher Kayizi, who was shot during the riots in Kampala, recalled the day her husband was killed, leaving her a pregnant widow.
Kabaziguruka first petitioned the Constitutional Court in 2016, challenging the trial of civilians in military courts after being arraigned before the Makindye General Court Martial on charges of treachery, alleging an attempt to overthrow the government of Uganda.
On Friday, Justice Musa Ssekaana dismissed Buchanan’s application with costs on grounds that it was wrongly filed before the Civil Division of High Court since the applicant was seeking to challenge the criminal exercise of power or jurisdiction.
Prosecution told court that while at Namwasi village along Mbale Nabumali Road in Mbale District on May 16th, 2019, the accused person with malice aforethought unlawfully caused the death of Detective Sergeant, Fred Chemonges.
In his testimony, Muto told court that on the fateful day he closed the hardware around 7:30pm to balance his books of accounts. He said two armed men speaking Swahili stormed the hardware shouting "Leta Pesa", which literally means bring money.
Through his lawyer, David Mushabe, Buchanan petitioned Court, saying the military court lacks jurisdiction to try him on criminal matters since he is a civilian. In his document seen by URN, Buchanan also faulted the Judge Advocate Col. Richard Tukacungurwa of failure to advise the court martial in as far as its jurisdiction on trying criminal matters is concerned.
