Court has Friday deferred hearing of the bail application of Moses Bigirwa, an activist affiliated to Bobi Wine’s ‘People Power’ Movement to January 9.
Bigirwa was arrested on December 29, shortly after a radio talkshow and detained at Kawempe Police station, amid calls from several opposition politicians to have him released or arraigned before court.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigire, told reporters then that Bigirwa was arrested on charges of inciting violence and giving false information to the public.
On Wednesday, Kawempe Division mayor, Emmanuel Sserunjogi and a group of ‘People Power’ youth camped at Kawempe Police station, demanding Bigirwa’s release from what they referred to as “illegal detention”.
He was yesterday transferred from Kawempe Police station to Wandegeya Police Station, before arraigning him before the LDC Court Makerere.
He was charged with incitement as well as publication of false news when he went on radio and said the NRM government had planned to kill Bobi Wine during the fracas that ensued during the Arua by-elections and instead killed his drive.
Court has remanded him to Luzira prison until January 9 this year, when hearing of his bail application will take place.
While addressing journalists, his lawyer, Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa described Bigirwa’s detention as unconstitutional, but was optimistic about court availing justice to the accused.
“After a week of his incarceration which was unconstitutional, he has finally appeared in court”
“Unfortunately, we expected that we would have him out today but it is the discretion of this honourable court that we come back for ruling on his bail application January 9th, 2018,” Muyizzi said
He said the case is “extraordinary” since his client has no objection from the State and that given the circumstances, they can’t do much, apart from trusting that court will offer justice.
On his part, mayor Emmanuel Serunjogi, said that despite being successful in having Bigirwa presented in court, he was surprised about what had transpired therein since they thought they would secure his release on bail.
Bigirwa who also belongs to the opposition Democratic Party is not new to such charges. In September 2016, he and other four youth were remanded on charges of public incitement and assault when they allegedly without lawful excuse, made statements calculated to incite violence against the public at the parliamentary main gate in Kampala, before assaulting a police officer, who was at the scene to restore order.
Bigirwa and group were demonstrating over Nakifuuma MP Kafeero Ssekitoleko’s proposal to amend the age limit for judges.