Thursday 23 August 2012

RWENZURURU KINGDOM, CONCERNED RESIDENTS WANT HALT IN SPLIT TALK


Following a Rwenzururu Kingdom memorandum calling for a halt in the proposed split of Kasese district into three administrative Units, the parliamentary committee on public service and local government has given the cultural institution and the district council one week to have harmonized their ideas.
The parliamentary committee on public service and local government was in Kasese to consult different groups of people in regard to the government presentation that included the district as one of those supposed to be split. The committee led by Kalungu district woman MP Ms. Florence Kintu said they were consulting on the boundaries, names and headquarters of the proposed new districts of Bwera and Rwenzori.
“The committee is giving you (Rwenzururu Kingdom) one week to sit with the district council and agree on way forward in regard to the split of the district because we need to make a report on the floor of parliament soon”. Ms. Kintu said.
However, this was not greeted with sincere smiles by the Kingdom officials led by Acting Premier Ms. Loice Biira Bwambale who insisted that grass root consultations are needed in regard to having a participatory decision.
“We have heard you madam chairperson but we needed two weeks if we were t consult to grass root level through our cultural structures. We have also to report back to the Omusinga (King) on what we have shared with this committee”. The prime minister said during a meeting held in Virina Gardens in Kasese town.
In their memorandum, the Rwenzururu Kingdom revealed that there were no thorough consultations at grass root level as claimed in the district council resolution of October 25, 2010 to have the district split.
The Prime Minister while presenting the memorandum asked parliament to halt the process of the split so that there is room for dialogue to accommodate the different ethnical diversities in a genuine decision.
Ms. Bwambale said the Kingdom’s House of Representatives sitting on July 25, instead asks the government to first consider the revamping of a number of redundant assets like Kilembe Mines, Katwe salt factory and the Railway line among others.
The Kingdom also fears that the cultural attachments to the greater Kasese district may be tempered with if there is any rushed split of the district without considering each aspect.
In a related development, a group of people identified as concerned citizens of Kasese told the parliamentary committee that there was no need to split the district even when government has failed to fulfill the long overdue promises.
In a petition presented to the committee, the concerned citizens who claim to have been drawn from across the district identified the elevation of Kasese airstrip to an international airport status, the revamping of Kilembe Mines and the Uganda Railway line as source of massive employment.
The petition reads in part “we are requesting your visionary committee to instead remind the government to fulfill it’s promises as listed below; the alleviation of Kasese airfield to international standards, the establishment of industries in the industrial area acquired by government, the re-construction of the Railway Line, renovations of Katwe salt industry, National Union of Youth Organisation and Kilembe Mines”.
The concerned residents led by Mr. Milton Bwambale Bikopo urge that if the redundant industries mentioned above are worked upon by the government, there would be more jobs created than those political jobs that are seen from the word go in the anticipated split.
Meanwhile, the Forum for Democratic Change leadership in Kasese that is also opposed to the split has criticized the manner in which the Mps conducted consultations in the area. FDC general secretary Mr. Johnson Kamalha told a press conference that the MPs look to have connived with the agitators on arrival in the district.
Mr. Kamalha who claims FDC was denied audience by the MPs said Virina gardens hotel where a series of meetings were held belongs to Mr. Rauben Mwahulhwa the chairman of the people who petitioned parliament calling for the split, the reason the committee came for consolations.
“There is reason to think that the committee of parliament is biased because of the way they have conducted business. They decided to have meetings in a hotel of Mr. Mwahulhwa who leads a section of people agitating for the split. FDC will also petition parliament on the matter to give our reasoning to why the district is not yet ready for the split”.
Ms. Florence Kintu, said the committee will integrate all the views and petitions from the different groups of people in Kasese while making a final report to present on the floor of parliament. END.

Monday 20 August 2012

FERIGO KAMBALE DONATES TO PREGNANT MOTHERS


One of the prominent residents of Kasese Municipality Ferigo Kambale has today launched a campaign to help pregnant mothers with specific components of the MAMA kit that is required at delivery.
The MAMA kit is a set of necessities a pregnant woman is supposed to appear with at the hospital for delivery. They include surgical gloves, polythen paper, razor blades, among others.
Ferigo Kambale who says he has decided to assist the poor pregnant mothers with delivery polythen papers and razor blades launched his campaigns at Kilembe Mines Hospital and St. Paul’s Health center Kamaiba.
He says other health facilities that include Kadoba Health Center, Kasese Municipal Health Center, Rukoki health center III and Bishop Masereka medical center tomorrow.
Ferigo who is also the Kasese District Head of Finance said he has decided to extend a help to the poor women because the embracement they face while delivering at health facilities hence resorting to Traditional birth attendants.  
At Kilembe Mines Hospital the donation was received by the Bishop of the Kasese Catholic Diocese Rt. Rev. Egidio Ngaijanabo who is also the chairman management of the health facility.
South Rwenzori Diocesan Secretary Rev. Can Ivan Sibilndondire received the materials donated to St. Paul’s Health Center.
In his speech, Bishop Egidio Nkaijanabo decried the increasing maternal deaths as reported in the media adding that Ferigo has showed a sign of generosity.
Bishop Egidio commended Ferigo for making a personal sacrifice in donating to the needy saying he is emulating Jesus Christ who loved the sick.
At the St. Paul’s health center Rev. Can. Ivan Sibilhondire commended Ferigo for choosing to help the needy adding that most of the women who deliver there struggle with several requirements for safe motherhood.
Rev.Can. Sibilhondire challenged government officials and other Ugandans to have heart of supporting the needy so God continues blessing their programs and work.
END.

Saturday 18 August 2012

THUNDER DESTROYS SHOPS IN KASESE


Five retail shops are no more after the building on which they were being operated at Kinyabisiki Trading Center, Kyondo sub-county in Kasese district caught fire after being struck by thunder on Saturday afternoon.
An eye witness said, the thunder struck during light drizzles at about 3:30pm and there after the house was seen ablaze.
According to the eye witness, there were no casualties recorded when the thunder struck the building.
“ It was drizzling and we saw the lightening strips on the sky and shortly there was heavy thunder. Then we had someone shout Enyumba yamahya (the house is on fire) and when we ran out, it was already too much”. The eye witness said.
The area district councilor Mr. Jovenale Muke said that lives survived because the retail shop keepers had not yet opened for the evening business. Trading centers in most rural areas become busy from 5pm to midnight.
The Chairman Kinyabisiki Trading Center Mr. Valentine Muhindo said five shops operating on the house of the late Kesi Bwambale were burnt to ashes and traders now count loses.
Muhindo said retail goods worth over twenty million shillings have been destroyed in the lightening incident.
He identified the affected traders as Vincent Muhisyamasi, Simion Lyabuya, Wesley Bitswatswa, Edmon Mbayahi and Emmy Nguru.
Muhindo said that there was no way to save any goods from being destroyed by fire because all the shops were closed by the time of the thunder.
The incident has caused anxiety among the people in the area with some speculating that it may be an effect of supernatural powers following alleged theft by someone on the building.
One of the shop losers Wesley Bitswatswa says he had a loan worth two million shillings to boast his four million retail business that used to deal in different goods ranging from clothes to edibles.
“ I have been paying a two million load from a local SACCO and had not yet completed it. My worry is on how to pay back because there is no more business for me here” Mr. Bitswatswa said.
Meanwhile, farmers in Kanyatsi and Buyagha parishes in the same sub-county are at the brick of hunger after hail stones destroyed several gardens.
The district councilor Mr. Jovenale Muke says that banana plantations, cassava and recently germinated beans have been destroyed by a three-hour heavy down pour accompanied by wind and hail stones.
He said that most of the farmers will need to buy new seeds for replanting where as other may not plant again because the soils have also been washed away. END.

Wednesday 15 August 2012

KASESE BY-ELECTION RIOT SUSPECTS TO APPLY FOR BAIL ON FRIDAY BUT COUNCILORS HAVE BEEN BONDED


Ten suspected rioters who were arrested on the eve of the August 8th Kasese woman MP by-elections have today had their case extended to Friday when Kasese Grade One magistrate will rule on their application to have the charge dismissed.
The ten are among the eighteen people who were arrested on August 7th when people rioted protesting police cordoning off Chief Prince of Rwenzururu Kingdom Christopher Kibanzanga’s home in Nyamwamba Division, Kasese Municipality.
Prosecution accused them of damaging a building, machinery, a car and other properties during the riot.
However, defense lawyer Geoffrey Sibendire of the Sibendire, Tayebwa and Co. Advocates asked Grade One Magistrate Patrick Bamuhiga to dismiss the charge because prosecution did not specify what was termed as any other property on the charge sheet.
Sibendire urged that by saying any other property, prosecution may easily come up with other materials that were never damaged by the suspects hence making it difficult to defend themselves.
Grade One Magistrate Patrick Bamuhiga adjourned court to Friday August 17 to rule on the application and also listen to the bail applications except one Gregory Masereka who was bailed out on grounds that he had mental problems.
In a related development eight other suspects accused of injuring a police officer John Byabahika during the same riot will also appear for bail application on Friday in the same court.
Meanwhile, chief Magistrate Joshua Maruk this morning granted bail to two district councilors who have been on remand since August 6th.
Elly Magwara representing Kyabarungira and Abdu Saad Representing Maliba both FDC are alleged to have incited violence on July 5th when they addressed different rallies mobilizing the Banyarwenzururu to fight the Basongora.
The Chief Magistrate who had early acquitted them of the first offence saying it lacked consent of the Director of Public Prosecution, considered their bail on a new account filed by the state moments later.
They were bailed out on four hundred thousand shillings cash each and their two sureties on five hundred thousand non cash.
Their lawyer Geoffrey Sibendire said, his clients are ready to defend themselves when they appear for hearing on September 10th. 

Tuesday 14 August 2012

KASESE FDC SUPPORTERS RISE FUNDS TO BUY LAND FOR GEN. MUNTU

FDC supporters are mobilizing funds to buy land to the national leaders who pitched camp in the area to protect the vote from being ridged.
Ms. Winfred Kiiza beat NRM’s Rehema Muhindo with a difference of 37723 votes, which the FDC supporters believe was a result from strict protection of the vote by the entire team from the national office led by Gen. Mugisha Muntu.
According to Mr. Gregory Kabunele who coordinates the fundraising strategy, the FDC supporters in Bukonzo West constituency have identified three key people for whom they will buy land and they include Gen. Mugisha Muntu, outgoing party president Dr. Kizza Besigye and Amin Ader.
Mr. Amin Ader is son to former President late Idi Amin Dada and was among the front line commanders for the FDC campaigns in Kasese.
Mr. Kabunele says that first on the agenda is Gen. Mugisha Muntu for protecting the vote from being rigged in Bukonzo West constituency that was being commanded by area MP and defense minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga on the other hand.
The FDC supporters say they will collect 36M shillings to buy land for the three at 12M each and spread them across the entire district.
Mr. Kabunele who claims that Defense Minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga has been failing progress in the district by masterminding bad politics was humbled by the efforts of the trio when they camped in the district for the by-elections.
Gen. Muntu will have land in Bukonzo West, Dr. Kizza Besigye in Busongora North and Mr. Amin Ader in Busongora south where NRM had concentrated its campaigns for the by-elections.
The FDC coordinator for Bukonzo West constituency Mr. Martim Masereka said that their work is to have the land ready and then inform the new occupants to construct homes so that they can freely stay and operate in the district.
Mr. Masereka who is also the Chairman LC 3 of Karambi sub-county said that the three members of parliament on the opposition hailing from Kasese district are not part of the contribution but they are welcome if they so wish.

KASESE RETURNING OFFICER RELEASED ON BOND


The Kasese district returning officer Vally Kanzira Tumwesigye who was detained on Saturday resumed his duties on Tuesday after being released on bond.
Kanzira was arrested on Saturday afternoon and detained at the Western Regional police station in Fort Portal on alleged fraud in the just concluded bye-elections for the Kasese Woman Member of Parliament.
He had on Thursday morning declared FDC’s Winfred Kiiza as the winner of the highly contested race beating NRM’s Rehema Muhindo with a thirty seven thousand seven hundred twenty three votes margin. The other candidate in the race DP’s Rosemary Masika was third with one thousand two hundred twenty nine votes.
The Kasese District Police Commander Jonathan Baroza said this evening that Kanzira was released on bond because he had some duties to carry out as a Returning Officer.
He however declined to reveal whether Kanzira was charged or not charged urging that the arrest was a deliberate move by police headquarters in Kampala.
In an interview with this reporter at his office this evening, Kanzira said that police denied him a request to be produced in court on Monday because there was no complainant in the case.
Kanzira said that detectives have questioned him about the choice of the finger nail ink mark put on voters on Election Day but he told them the Electoral Commission Offices in Kampala was answerable.
He continues with his responsibility of paying up the polling officials and constables across the district.
END.

Saturday 11 August 2012

EBOLA SCARE HITS KASESE AS RESIDENTS EAT A CHIMPANZEE.



An Ebola scare has this evening hit Kasese district after it was revealed some hunters have eaten a Chimpanzee that strayed from Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
The Law enforcement warden in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park Mr. Rujumba Bwambale says the Chimpanzee that strayed to the community yesterday evening, was killed by hunters in Buhunga village, Kilembe sub-county who shared a piece among themselves.
According to eye witnesses the Chimpanzee was killed using spears at 11: 30 am and shared among the hunters.
Rujumba embarked on village wide sensitization about the dangers the animal may have to the community if eaten but no one surrendered the meat.
He said that since Ebola has always been reported to be caused by eating of monkeys, it is not better to let people eat a chimpanzee that comes from the same primates’ class.
Rujumba said the Uganda Wildlife Authority only secured specimen meat and bones weight one kilogram that will be taken to Entebbe for examination of any ebola virus.
Ebola has for the last three weeks been a scare to most districts in western Uganda after it was confirmed in Kibaale district.
However, some of the concerned residents suggest that whoever might have eaten the Chimpanzee meat should be quarantined for a number of days as more investigations are taken.
END.


Friday 10 August 2012

KAYIHURA LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO RENOVATE DILAPIDATED POLICE POSTS.

The Inspector General of Police Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura has this afternoon launched a campaign to renovate and rehabilitate dilapidated police posts and barracks in the country.
Kayihura made the launch at the Kasese Central police station by painting the main block and breaking the ground for the construction of an improved pit latrine at the station.
Kayihura said after operating from the Kasese police station, he decided to launch a countrywide campaign because the place was stinking with human wastes and the main buildings were dilapidated.
He tasked the District Police Commander Jonathan Baroza to mobilize police personnel to undertake the construction of the latrine and the renovation of the houses. He said the campaign will be rolled over to
the rest of the country.
The Kasese Central Police Station was constructed in the mid 1970’s during the late Idi Amin’s regime.
Meanwhile, police will foot the completion of a house that was smashed with stones by rioters on the eve of the Kasese Woman parliamentary by-elections as they protested the cordoning of the home of Rwenzururu
Kingdom Chief Prince Christopher Kibanzanga.
Police who accessed Kibanzanga’s house after nearly ten hours of cordoning claimed they had been informed that there were bouncers and hooligans being hidden by the former Busongora South MP to disrupt the elections.
When police engaged the angry FDC supporters, they attacked the home of Mr. Johnson Kiryango a senior NRM cadre in Kisanga Village, Nyamwamba Division in Kasese Municipality.
Kiryango told the IGP that the rioters used heavy stones to smash the doors and windows of his house claiming they wanted his head.
Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura instructed the police construction Unit not only to repair the damage but the completion of the house the work of which is likely to cost six million shillings.
END.

Tuesday 7 August 2012

POLICE CORDONS KIBANZANGA’S HOME, FDC SUPPORTERS RIOT.


Ant riot police of Tuesday morning got involved in running battles with rioters who were protesting the cordoning of the home of Mr. Christopher Kibanzanga, the chief campaign agent for Ms. Winfred Kiiza (FDC).

The Kasese woman MP by-elections are set for Wednesday August 6 and the race is tight between FDC’s Winfred Kiiza and NRM’s Rehema Muhindo.

Police raided Mr. Kibanzanga’s home by 4:00am on Tuesday but he refused to open for them hence prompting FDC supporters to assemble there.

Anti-riot police was called in at about 8:00 when the rioters started pelting stones and bricks in protest of the police action.

A source in the police who spoke on condition of anonymity said it is suspected there are FDC bouncers hiding in Mr. Kibanzanga’s house. This source said that police will not leave until Mr. Kibanzanga opens and a search is carried out.

Close to 50 FDC youth brigade members were netted from Rock Gardens Lodge 100meters from MR. Kibanzanga’s home. By press time they had been loaded on a police Lorry and driven towards Fort-Portal.

According to Mr. Amin Ader son to former President Idi Amin, FDC has brought 1200 youth brigade most of who from West Nile to guard Kiiza’s vote from being rigged.

Ten other people among the rioters were arrested at the scene as unconfirmed reports indicated that a police officer was injured by a bow in Nyakasanga a suburb of Kasese town.

There was tear gas everywhere in Kasese town as police tried to disperse the angry rioters. Business was paralyzed in Kizungu, Nyakasanga and Kigoro areas of Nyamwamba Division.

Police and the electoral commission had warned they would arrest all the people from outside Kasese who may temper with the election process.
FDC chiefs Gen.Mugisha Muntu, Alice Alaso were the only ones granted access to Mr. Kibanzanga’s compound.

Speaking to this reporter on Phone, Mr. Kibanzanga who is also the Rwenzururu Kingdom chief prince said his royal guards informed him of the police raid at 3:30am before they started knocking at 4:00am

Mr. Kibanzanga who claims he has 10 people including visitors, dependants and his children inside the house, said he could not open because the police officers failed to show either a search warrant or an arrest warrant.

“I have decided not to open for these guys because they did not show me any search or arrest warrant. I did not open because I thought they may be terrorists targeting me. Why did they attack me without even the presence of the chairman LC one?” Mr. Kibanzanga said on phone.

By press time, the Regional Police Commander western Mr. Wilson Kwanya and other police chiefs could not make any comment claiming that there is no action so far taken as for their mission.

The rioters were shouting “NRM fears that we (FDC) are going to win, that’s why they are attacking Kibanzanga. Winfred will win the race they like it or not”.

end

Sunday 5 August 2012

MINISTER ADOLF MWESIGYE'S CAR KNOCKS ONE DEAD IN MUHOKYA, KASESE


One person died on sport and another injured on Sunday morning at Muhokya trading center five kilometers from Kasese town when a speeding official car for Local Government Minister Adolf Mwesigye knocked a motorcycle.
An eye witness said that the minister was not in the vehicle by the time of the accident but his driver identified as Julius Kisembo was heading to Katwe-Kabatoro town council where President Yoweri Museveni was campaigning for Ms Rehema Muhindo (NRM) in the Kasese woman MP by-elections.
The deceased was identified as Charles Bidongo, 30, a pastoralist a resident of Kisongora Village in Muhokya who also does boda-boda business. The injured was only identified as Nalongo a businesswoman at Kahendero Landing site on Lake George.
The injured was rushed to Kilembe hospital for medication.
Eye witnesses said that the minister’s car registration number UG 2920R knocked Bidongo’s motorcycle number UDG 877H as he tried to enter the highway from a milling machine on the lower side of the road.
“There was no way Bidongo would have survived death because the car was over speeding and hitting all the humps on the road. The car was like losing control on the road”. The eye witness said.
A traffic officer who was found at the scene confirmed the accident and said the minister’s car was already being held at Kikorongo police post on the Kasese-Mbarara road.
The traffic officer who declined to be named because he cannot speak on behalf of the police said, a postmortem was done and the body was handed over to the relatives.
Mr. Yostasi Mugisha the brother to the deceased said the family wants government to meet the funeral expenses and compensate the family because he was taking care of about 20 dependents.
“Government should come out and meet all the expenses and also take over the welfare of the widow, five orphans and 12 dependents that Bidongo has been responsible for”. Mr. Mugisha said.
By press time, the body was already at the deceased’s home in Kisongora and was to be buried on Monday.
Meanwhile, the residents of Muhokya mounted a sand road hump in protest of the over speeding cars that always cause accidents in the area. But police reportedly ordered the removal of the sandy hump and arrested one person suspected to have led the protest.
A man who only identified himself as Isingoma said “we want government to put a big hump here in Muhokya and if they can’t’ we shall building on our expense as we are tired of over speeding government cars”.  END.

Thursday 2 August 2012

REBELS OVER RUN CONGOLESE BORDER TOWNS AS REFUGEES INFLAX INTO KASESE


Business at the Mpondwe border with the democratic republic of Congo was paralyzed on Friday morning after rebels attacked the Congolese towns of Lubiriha and Kasindi over night.
Hundreds of refugees are crossing into Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo following heavy artillery from the Congolese side.

Friday is cross border market day which attracts thousands of Ugandans from Kasese and other parts of the country.

Mr. Enos  Sabayo a businessman in the Lubiriha market at the border says the business was halted by the customs authorities as they attend to the Congolese refugees entering Uganda.

The UPDF spokesperson of the 2nd Division Capt. Peter Mugisha told www.thembokahungu.blogspot.com on phone that correspondences with their Congolese counterparts indicate that the rebels who attacked the border towns of Lubiriha and Kasindi are of the Mai Mai militia that fights in eastern
Congo.

“We have corresponded with the commanders the other side (DRC) and they say the Mai Mai rebels attacked the two towns over night”. said Capt.Peter Mugisha

Capt. Mugisha said that the Congolese army reports they have repulsed the rebels although no casualties on both sides were reported by press time.

Asked about the influx of the refugees, Capt. Mugisha said they are allowed to run to safety since Ugandans have relatives in the Congolese territory.

The unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo if it continues is likely to affect the voting in Kasese Woman Parliamentary seat by-elections to be held on Wednesday next week. The opposition Forum for Democratic Change has been alleging that the NRM officials want to use a number of Congolese to cast the votes in the government’s favour.

Eye witness calling from close to Lubiriha town in the DRC say that the rebels seem to have taken over the town as they are seen calming
the people down.

However, we could not easily access the rebels’ contacts to confirm what their motive is.

Mr. Johnson Kalambaya a Ugandan cross border dealer says that his businesses are stuck because none of his agents is able to transact business.

The Mpondwe border in Kasese is known to be on the Transafrica High
way road that connects business from Mombasa in at the East African
Coast to Lagos in Nigeria through the DRC.

The mai mai.
The term Mai-Mai or Mayi-Mayi refers to any kind of community-based militia group active, formed to defend their local territory against other armed groups. Most were formed to resist the invasion of Rwandan
forces and Rwanda-affiliated Congolese rebel groups, but some may have formed to exploit the war for their own advantage by looting, cattle rustling and banditry.
Groups that fall under the umbrella term "Mai Mai" include armed forces led by warlords, traditional tribal elders, village heads, and politically motivated resistance fighters. Because Mai Mai have had
only the most tenuous internal cohesion, different Mai Mai groups allied themselves with a variety of domestic and foreign government and guerilla groups at different times. The term Mai Mai does not
refer to any particular movement, affiliation or political objective but to a broad variety of groups.
The Mai Mai are particularly active in the provinces in the east bordering Rwanda, north Kivu and South Kivu, which were under the control of the Rwanda-allied Banyamulenge-dominated rebel faction, the
Rally for Congolese Democracy-Goma (RCD-Goma).
END.

MUHOKYA POLICE POST ATTACK SUSPECTS REMANDED UNTIL AUGUST 16.


The Kasese Grade One Magistrate Mr. Nathan Mulindwa on Thursday placed on remand until August 16 the eight people suspected to have attacked Muhokya police post attack killing a police officer and injuring two others.
Prosecution alleges that on July 27 the eight men in a group with others still on the run raided Muhokya police post and killed a police officer Semakula Mugabi and injured two others before taking off with two machine guns.
Police has since recovered one gun with 27 rounds of ammunitions. In retaliation, police also killed three of the attackers whom authorities allege were members of the Rwenzururu Veterans Development Association and supports of Forum for Democratic Change.
Those placed on remand in Mubuku prison are Simon Bwambale ,40, Misaki Mirerembu Muhindo 52, Yosia Kighunza 48, Samuel Muhindo 38, and Bighambo Baluku 38 all civilians.
Three others are police personnel who include Number 53225 Police Constable Wilson Mbusa attached to Bundibugyo police post a resident of Muhokya trading center, No. 10150 SPC Johnson Mwiraghulhu and No. 10447 SPC Martin Kule both attached to Muhokya police post.
Grade One Magistrate Nathan Mulindwa said his court has no mandate to try capital offences hence remanding them to August 16. None of the suspects was granted bail because they did not have sureties.
In a related development, two district councilors- Mr. Elly Magwara (Kyabarungira) and Abdu Saad (Maliba) were also remanded until August 7 for inciting violence in regard to the installation of Mr. Ivan Bwebale as the King of the Basongora on July 1.
Elly Magwara is the leader of opposition in the Kasese district council. They are both members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
Prosecution alleges that the two who were arrested on Wednesday held different assemblies in Busongora North on July 5 constituency urging the Rwenzururu Veterans to attack the Basongora.
Mr. Magwara according to prosecution held a meeting at Kitswamba Trading Center in Kitswamba sub-county mobilizing Rwenzururu Veterans to sharpen their spears and machetes to attack the Basongora. Mr. Abdu Saad is alleged to have held a meeting at Maliba sub-county headquarters planning the attack on Mr. Mustafa Kikusa who led a delegation to parliament some days back demanding for the split of Kasese district.
The grade one magistrate did not allow them to take plea neither to apply for bail because his court has no mandate.
“You have heard the changes placed against the two of you. You do not have to say anything and also apply for bail because my court has no mandate to do so. I therefore place you on remand until August 7”. Said Mr. Nathan Mulindwa the grade one magistrate.
Their lawyer Mr. Geoffrey Sibendire of the Sibendire, Tayebwa and company advocates said his clients will be patient until the prescribed date to re-appear in court reaches.
Mr. Sibendire said “as of now, I cannot say they committed the offence or not before prosecution brings evidence to court but we shall we wait for Tuesday when they can apply for bail”.
In court were FDC leaders Christopher Kibanzanga, FDC candidate for Kasese district parliamentary by-elections, Ms. Winfred Kiiza, Busongora North MP William Nzoghu among others.
Mr. William Nzoghu the MP for Busongora North Constituency where the two come from said, the NRM leadership in the district is framing cases against them as a way of disorganizing the campaign strategy for Ms. Kiiza.
The two councilors according to Mr. Nzoghu are suffering because of their efforts to write to the Kasese Resident District Commissioner Lt. Milton Odongo to apologize for not taking action as the Basongora crowned their King and raised a flag in the area covered by Rwenzururu Kingdom.
Mr. Magwara is the same person mobilizing signatures from residents asking president Yoweri Museveni to transfer the RDC and his deputy accusing their of being incompetent. END.