Former spy master Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde has complained to City Hall magistrate Valerian Tumuhimbise that he has been beem denied access his lawyers and family.
Tumukunde who was arrested on March 12 from his home in Kololo and has been in detention in Luzira prison since appeared before Buganda Road Magistrate's court this morning via video conferencing. He complained about solitary confinement and ill-treatment by his captors. Tumukunde told the magistrate that he's tired of wearing the same shirt for over two months. Tumukunde is facing charges of treason and illegal possession of firearms.
The magistrate, Tumuhimbise advised Tumukunde's lawyers to do all it takes and process his bail. The High court has since fixed May 11 for the ruling on Tumukunde's bail application.
Meanwhile, two bodyguards of Tumukunde have been charged and remanded to Kitalya government prison. Denis Okello and Charles Ongom Labeja who have been in detention since their arrest on March 12 were on April 29 charged with obstruction by Nakawa chief magistrate Ruth Nabaasa, according to the court documents seen by URN.
Prosecution alleges that while at Plot 12 Impala Avenue in Kololo, Kampala city, on March 12th and 13th the accused wilfully obstructed detective sergeant, Michael Jackson Okello and detective superintendent of police, Richard Mwesigwa from searching and removing material exhibits from the said premises.
They were picked up together with 10 others including retired Tumukunde who is also in Luzira prison facing charges of treason and illegal possession of firearms.
The others are; Tororo North County Woman MP, Annet Nyaketcho, her husband Levy Otim, Arthur Kiiza, Nancy Atimango, John Manyala, Zion Oboth, Walter Ebong, Walter Raymond Alere, Rhoda Akello, Joyce Julian Ocoko and Richard Komakech who have since been out on bail.
A day before the bodyguards were charged, High court judge Esta Nambayo had issued an order directing the government and the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) to bring them before her court on Tuesday. The order was meant for the government to justify why the bodyguards have been in illegal detention for more than the mandatory 48 hours without any charges levied against them.
Their lawyer Geoffrey Turyamusiima said that they had returned to court to inform justice Nambayo on this new development only to find that she was absent and had directed that they come back on May 12.
Turyamusiima says that since their clients have now been produced and charged, he will apply for the bail and also close the file in the High court.
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