Makerere Suspended Students: Court Gives Prosecution Ultimatum to Present Witnesses

Court on Monday ordered prosecution to expeditiously present witnesses against the suspended Makerere University students.

Buganda road Magistrate, Joan Ketty Acaa issued orders to the state prosecutor to present her witnesses not later than 18th October.

The Magistrate noted that in case the state fails to adhere to her orders, she will be left with no option but to close the prosecution and allow the suspects defend themselves.

This order came after the investigative officer, AIP Rhonah Kamugisha informed court that they couldn’t present witnesses on Monday due to the ongoing independence day preparations.

This prompted prosecutor Elizabeth Nandala to ask for an adjournment and magistrate ordered that failure for them to avail witnesses, she will close prosecution submissions and allow the suspects to defend themselves so that the matter is expeditiously disposed off to allow students go back and pursue their studies before the semester ends.

Bwambale Frank, Musiri David and Roy Rugumayo are being charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly after being arrested from their halls of residence and detained at Wandegeya, Mulago and Kagugube police cells on claims that they spearheaded a strike against continued tuition increments.

The defence lawyer, counsel Isaac Ssemakadde expressed dismay over how the University decided to suspend the trio on social media on mere allegations without listening to them.

Ssemakadde added that on last Thursday while detective corporal Bruce Amanya was testifying against the trio, he said that indeed they were arrested from their halls of residence while not in any demonstration.

“We are ready to fight this form of injustice and these students must regain their freedom; the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nawangwe is doing all this to scare off students so that they fail to stand up for their rights but this won’t work,” Ssemakadde said.