After hearing fresh charges of terrorism, murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery brought against him in Jinja yesterday, Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere defiantly told his lawyers that “the Rwenzururu struggle” would go on.
Yesterday was the first time since his arrest on November 27, that Mumbere, the traditional head of the Rwenzururu kingdom, was allowed to talk to his lawyers Caleb Alaka, Evans Ocheing and Samuel Mulindwa Muyizzi.
Their meeting in the court cells was also attended by Kasese MPs led by Leader of Opposition, Winfred Kiiza, who also doubles as Kasese Woman MP; Godfrey Atkins Katusabe (Bukonzo West), Robert Centenary (Kasese Municipality) and William Nzoghu (Busongora North). After the meeting, which lasted 15 minutes, Kiiza told The Observer that despite his incarceration, the Omusinga remained unbroken.
“He is calm but still defiant about the Rwenzururu movement,” Kiiza told this writer after the meeting.
“He calls on all his people to remain calm but they [people] should never give up the struggle,”she added.
Kiiza, who was dressed in a kitenge with an imprint of Omusinga’s portrait, sharply criticised the new charges brought by the state.
“These charges are funny and ridiculous. It has been like three weeks and the other 12 people who have been arrested haven’t been charged yet,” she said.
After the meeting, Nzoghu vowed that “dead or alive” one day President Museveni would be dragged before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“The charges are funny but people like Museveni who should be facing charges are walking freely. We shall not rest until he is charged in the ICC,” Nzoghu said.
Alaka, one of the lawyers, told The Observer that the Omusinga is not bitter despite the way the state has treated him and his subjects.
“We discussed many issues, he is calm but still confident; he isn’t bitter at all because all of this is going to come to an end,” Alaka said.
BESIGYE BLOCKED
Earlier, at around 9:15am, amid tight security, Omusinga was driven into the court premises from Nalufenya police station, where he is being held. His arrival at the court was overshadowed by a scuffle between former FDC president Dr Kizza Besigye and security men who blocked him from accessing the court premises. All roads leading to the court had been cordoned off.
“I’m here to access court just like any member of the public,” a charged Besigye said.
“I want to know which charges the king is facing,” he shouted, but the security men refused to budge.
“We need orders from our bosses if we are to allow you,” one of the security officers said, as they made frantic calls.
After a standoff that lasted an hour, the police fired tear gas to disperse the impromptu crowd of Besigye supporters. Soon, Besigye was bundled into a police van and whisked away. Attention later turned to the court proceedings.
At 10am, Francis Kaggwa, the chief magistrate of Jinja, read new charges to the bespectacled Omusinga, who was dressed in a black suit and white shirt. On the amended charge sheet, Mumbere is accused together with Nelson Bwambale, Gideon Bwambale, Alex Bakulha, January Kule, John Sibanza, Puluku Katekwamahwa, Juma Muliki, Elias Muhindo, Ali Thembo, Jafar Maate, Johnson Kahuju, and Almon Mbahimba.
TERRORISM
According to the charge sheet sanctioned by Mike Chibita, the director of public prosecutions (DPP), Mumbere and his co-accused in March 2016, with intent to intimidate the public for political, religious, social or economic aim, indiscriminately attacked Buhurura-Kithoma police post.
Furthermore, the DPP says the accused attacked Kidodo police station, leading to the murder of police officer Geoffrey Kasimba, and the attempted murder of police officers Robert Rwethengeyo, Moses Sentongo, Hannington Katurumu, James Otobbe, Jacob Opolot, Joel Mbusa, James Mulhumbira and Johnson Mulhumbira.
AGGRAVATED ROBBERY
The DPP claims that Mumbere, together with his 12 co-accused and others still at large, robbed Kasimba of an AK 47 riffle serial number 1984-s-AY2729-2025 with 30 rounds of ammunition. That after the said robbery, the accused used deadly weapons such as pangas and knives to kill Kasimba.
COMPLAINTS
After the charges had been read, Alaka complained to the magistrate that the state had refused Mumbere to get treatment from a personal doctor yet he is diabetic.
“We want the king to get his small fridge which contains his drugs,” Alaka said. “It wouldn’t make sense to the state if the person they are accusing dies in prison,” he added.
Alaka said the Omusinga also needs a cook of his own to prepare his specialized meals because in his condition, he cannot just eat any type of food.
“We cannot trust the state now because even if you say that the accused is remanded to Kirinya, they take him to Nalufenya,” Alaka said.
“So, we now want that wherever they take him, they should ensure the king’s cook takes part in preparing his meals,” he added.
Alaka also claimed that ever since Omusinga was charged two weeks ago, they had not discussed with him how to prepare his defence.
“The rights of the accused are being violated,” Alaka said. “How can we have a fair trial?” he added.
Muyizzi asked the magistrate to order security agencies to stop harassing court-goers.
“Can you imagine that some lawyers today were not allowed to access court by security [personnel]?” Muyizzi said.
“We want security to act in a civilised manner when dealing with the public.”
With that, the magistrate ordered that the Omusinga should get a small fridge in his cell and a special cook. As of yesterday, Mumbere’s lawyers were preparing to file his bail application.
Mumbere was arrested on November 27 and subsequently charged with murder at Jinja chief magistrate’s court after soldiers together with police stormed his Kasese-based palace. The palace attack and earlier skirmishes resulted in the death of up to 100 people, including policemen.
The magistrate adjourned the case to December 28, 2016.
dkiyonga@observer.ug