Buganda Road Court has taken action to nullify the arrest warrant that was previously issued against Dr. Kiiza Besigye and his co-accused, Samuel Walter Lubega Mukaaku. The warrant was initially issued on July 27, 2023, due to their alleged contempt of court on two separate occasions.

In a recent court appearance, which took place on Friday, Besigye and his attorney, Musa Matovu, stood before Trial Magistrate Asuman Muhumuza to address the case involving charges of inciting violence. Through their lawyer, the duo invoked section 28 of the constitution, asserting their right to legal representation. This argument persuaded Magistrate Muhumuza to revoke the arrest warrant against Besigye. Additionally, the warrant for Mukaaku, who had been abroad for medical treatment in the UK, was extended until he could provide court with evidence of his travel.

The trial magistrate has adjourned the case to September 29th, 2023.

Besigye and Mukaaku were apprehended in the previous year during a protest against the escalating cost of goods in the country.

According to the prosecution, they are accused of orchestrating an unlawful assembly at Kikuubo Shauriyako Parish in Kampala Central Division. Allegedly, during this assembly, they made statements that were interpreted as incitement to cause harm and property destruction.

Among the witnesses presented by the prosecution, David Nahamya, the Head of Operations at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS), testified that the actions of Besigye and Mukaaku led to disorder and disruptions to businesses in the downtown area.

Nahamya recounted receiving a call from the CCTV room at CPS, notifying him of a group gathering at the Qualicel building in Mini Price, which had caused considerable commotion. As the officer in charge of operations, he detailed how he had coordinated junior police officers to investigate the cause of the gathering.

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