MUHOKYA POLICE POST ATTACK SUSPECTS REMANDED UNTIL AUGUST 16.

The Kasese Grade One Magistrate Mr. Nathan Mulindwa on Thursday placed on remand until August 16 the eight people suspected to have attacked Muhokya police post attack killing a police officer and injuring two others.

Prosecution alleges that on July 27 the eight men in a group with others still on the run raided Muhokya police post and killed a police officer Semakula Mugabi and injured two others before taking off with two machine guns.

Police has since recovered one gun with 27 rounds of ammunitions. In retaliation, police also killed three of the attackers whom authorities allege were members of the Rwenzururu Veterans Development Association and supports of Forum for Democratic Change.

Those placed on remand in Mubuku prison are Simon Bwambale ,40, Misaki Mirerembu Muhindo 52, Yosia Kighunza 48, Samuel Muhindo 38, and Bighambo Baluku 38 all civilians.

Three others are police personnel who include Number 53225 Police Constable Wilson Mbusa attached to Bundibugyo police post a resident of Muhokya trading center, No. 10150 SPC Johnson Mwiraghulhu and No. 10447 SPC Martin Kule both attached to Muhokya police post.

Grade One Magistrate Nathan Mulindwa said his court has no mandate to try capital offences hence remanding them to August 16. None of the suspects was granted bail because they did not have sureties.

In a related development, two district councilors- Mr. Elly Magwara (Kyabarungira) and Abdu Saad (Maliba) were also remanded until August 7 for inciting violence in regard to the installation of Mr. Ivan Bwebale as the King of the Basongora on July 1.

Elly Magwara is the leader of opposition in the Kasese district council. They are both members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

Prosecution alleges that the two who were arrested on Wednesday held different assemblies in Busongora North on July 5 constituency urging the Rwenzururu Veterans to attack the Basongora.

Mr. Magwara according to prosecution held a meeting at Kitswamba Trading Center in Kitswamba sub-county mobilizing Rwenzururu Veterans to sharpen their spears and machetes to attack the Basongora. Mr. Abdu Saad is alleged to have held a meeting at Maliba sub-county headquarters planning the attack on Mr. Mustafa Kikusa who led a delegation to parliament some days back demanding for the split of Kasese district.

The grade one magistrate did not allow them to take plea neither to apply for bail because his court has no mandate.

“You have heard the changes placed against the two of you. You do not have to say anything and also apply for bail because my court has no mandate to do so. I therefore place you on remand until August 7”. Said Mr. Nathan Mulindwa the grade one magistrate.

Their lawyer Mr. Geoffrey Sibendire of the Sibendire, Tayebwa and company advocates said his clients will be patient until the prescribed date to re-appear in court reaches.

Mr. Sibendire said “as of now, I cannot say they committed the offence or not before prosecution brings evidence to court but we shall we wait for Tuesday when they can apply for bail”.

In court were FDC leaders Christopher Kibanzanga, FDC candidate for Kasese district parliamentary by-elections, Ms. Winfred Kiiza, Busongora North MP William Nzoghu among others.

Mr. William Nzoghu the MP for Busongora North Constituency where the two come from said, the NRM leadership in the district is framing cases against them as a way of disorganizing the campaign strategy for Ms. Kiiza.

The two councilors according to Mr. Nzoghu are suffering because of their efforts to write to the Kasese Resident District Commissioner Lt. Milton Odongo to apologize for not taking action as the Basongora crowned their King and raised a flag in the area covered by Rwenzururu Kingdom.

Mr. Magwara is the same person mobilizing signatures from residents asking president Yoweri Museveni to transfer the RDC and his deputy accusing their of being incompetent. END.