Arrest warrant issued for Besigye, Lukwago

KAMPALA Court has issued arrest warrants for former leader of Forum for Democratic Change party and Kampala City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. Buganda Road Court issued the warrants on Friday after the duo failed to show up in court to answer charges of organising an unlawful assembly that led to the death of Assistant Inspector of Police John Michael Ariong. State Attorney Martin Rukundo said the duo never notified court on why they were absent and why their lawyers did not show up as well. Dr Besigye and Mr Lukwago were charged together with Kawempe Division Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa, Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Ssempala and FDC Women League leader Ingrid Turinawe, among others. Subsequently, presiding Chief Magistrate Eleanor Khainza, issued the warrant arrest for all the suspects for January 14. When this newspaper contacted Mr Lukwago on why he never showed up in court, he said he was tired of attending court. “I got tired of endless appearances in court. The case should be dismissed as the State has no witnesses against us,” said Mr Lukwago over phone. Mr Lukwago added: “I have just come back from Nakuru, Kenya on official duties and I had no time for court.” The case that has stayed in court for close to nine months, is yet to be heard. Allegation Prosecution alleges that on March 21, between Kafumbe- Mukasa Road, Namirembe Road and Mini-Price on Ben Kiwanuka Street, the suspects formed an unlawful society with the purpose of inciting members of the public against the police thereby leading to the killing Ariong. The State further alleges that the accused persons on the same date formed an unlawful society for the purpose of inciting the disturbance of peace and order leading to the injuring of two other police officers, Assistant Inspector of Police Wabwire and Constable Julius Olweny in the line of duty. The group was arrested following a botched city road inspection tour led by Lord Mayor Lukwago that turned into a demonstration on Ben Kiwanuka Street.