Army Court Withdraws Gun Charges Against Bobi Wine

The army court has withdrawn charges against Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, in the Court Martial underway in Gulu.

He was last week charged with illegal possession of a fire arm and ammunition.

In the sitting presided over by the head of the Court Martial, Gen Andrew Guti Thursday morning, Kyagulanyi’s defence lawyers led by counsel Medard Lubega Ssegona and Nicolas Opio, have argued that the military court has no jurisdiction to try a civilian.

Prosecution preferred to charge him with more serious charges of treason and prayed that he be handed over to Police.

But lawyer Ssegona objected to this which he said would make the court martial an arresting instrument for the Police which is not the case.

“The withdrawal of charges is a relief to us. But what we object to is that this court be used as a tool to arrest a civilian. The moment charges are withdrawn, he (Bobi Wine) becomes free,” lawyer Ssegona submitted.

“The military court is not an instrument to arrest for police”.

He said Bobi Wine was arrested and had his rights violated and thus needs to be released.

“Supposing Police has no charge against him? We pray that you have him declared a free man. He is an MP and he is not a fugitive,” Ssegona said.

Court has now been adjourned for 10 minutes but the nation awaits General Guti’s ruling on whether Mr Kyagulanyi is to be set free or be handed over to Police and consequently be tried in a civilian court.

This is a developing story.