Muntu breaks down at FDC protest prayer
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Muntu-breaks-down-FDC-protest-prayer/-/688334/3118856/-/h6l9pq/-/index.html
FDC President Mugisha Muntu breaks down during prayers at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi in Kampala yesterday. PHOTOS BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
By PATIENCE AHIMBISIBWE
Posted Wednesday, March 16 2016 at 02:00
Posted Wednesday, March 16 2016 at 02:00
In Summary
Grief. The FDC party president yesterday broke down during the launch of national prayers meant to liberate the country from what the party calls injustice.KAMPALA. As Forum for Democratic Change party launched national prayers which the party said was part of the efforts to liberate the country yesterday, the party president, Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu, wept at what he called the injustice being meted by the ruling National Resistance Movement following the disputed February 18, election.
Gen Muntu said Dr Kizza Besigye, the party’s flag bearer in the concluded polls, continues to be incarcerated at his home and that the party leadership is now seeking God’s intervention to set him free and also get justice for other party members whose freedom has been interfered with.
“We are fighting for our rights and freedoms. President Museveni can’t play on people’s minds all the time. Dr Kizza Besigye is not free. He has been surrounded in the last weeks. He is physically a prisoner but he is mentally a free man. We must all be equal before the law. This is what we seek,” Gen Muntu said.
Gen Muntu said Dr Kizza Besigye, the party’s flag bearer in the concluded polls, continues to be incarcerated at his home and that the party leadership is now seeking God’s intervention to set him free and also get justice for other party members whose freedom has been interfered with.
“We are fighting for our rights and freedoms. President Museveni can’t play on people’s minds all the time. Dr Kizza Besigye is not free. He has been surrounded in the last weeks. He is physically a prisoner but he is mentally a free man. We must all be equal before the law. This is what we seek,” Gen Muntu said.
He added: “There are those who believe in their horses and chariots but by the grace of God, we shall see that come to pass. They believe in weapons, police, army and intelligence services to tamper with the fredoom of the people. President Museveni is the president. He is not God. He believes in chariots and horses.”
The prayers opened with praise and worship at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi with pastors from born-again faith and sheikhs.
The prayers opened with praise and worship at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi with pastors from born-again faith and sheikhs.
The main celebrant, Pastor Daniel Ngabo of Rock Deliverance Church, who delivered the day’s sermon, invited the participants to their knees to tell God their grievances.
He alluded to the Bible in Acts 12, where God sent an Angel to set free Peter, who had been captured and waiting for trial. He said religious leaders will not keep quiet but continue to pray for the country until it is set free from injustices.
“This day will go down in history as a demonstration of prayer towards freedom, to free votes, campaign and free Dr Kiizza Besigye. We cannot be quiet in Uganda. There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor political nor popular but he must take it because the conscience tells him it is right. I can see darkness crippling in day after day. We have gathered here that the light might shine over us,” Pastor Ngabo said.
He alluded to the Bible in Acts 12, where God sent an Angel to set free Peter, who had been captured and waiting for trial. He said religious leaders will not keep quiet but continue to pray for the country until it is set free from injustices.
“This day will go down in history as a demonstration of prayer towards freedom, to free votes, campaign and free Dr Kiizza Besigye. We cannot be quiet in Uganda. There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor political nor popular but he must take it because the conscience tells him it is right. I can see darkness crippling in day after day. We have gathered here that the light might shine over us,” Pastor Ngabo said.
He added: “We have chosen to love our country even when our lives have been threatened. We stand in the gap with our brothers and sisters that are locked up in prisons and those that are in siege in their homes. We stand here to become their voice and the voice to the voiceless. The power doesn’t belong to President Museveni but the power belongs to God. The strength does not lie in the hands of the government. What no man can do for us God will do it. You are not alone.”
After the prayer, Pastor Ngabo handed over his Bible to Gen Muntu, saying that no matter how long it will take, it was a sign that the party will be in charge of the country.
The party chairman, Mr Wasswa Biriggwa, said yesterday’s prayer was a cleansing of what went wrong during the elections. He appealed to the public to join the party every Tuesday wherever they are to dedicate the country to God.
After the prayer, Pastor Ngabo handed over his Bible to Gen Muntu, saying that no matter how long it will take, it was a sign that the party will be in charge of the country.
The party chairman, Mr Wasswa Biriggwa, said yesterday’s prayer was a cleansing of what went wrong during the elections. He appealed to the public to join the party every Tuesday wherever they are to dedicate the country to God.
Sheikh Muhammed Katuramu asked Allah to open the eyes of security agencies to ensure there is fairness as they execute their duties. Shs280,000 was collected towards supporting Dr Besigye’s welfare while in incarceration.
Dr Besigye has been arrested several times since February 16, two days to polling day. Dr Besigye, like his party, has rejected the results of the February 18, presidential election as rigged by the Electoral Commission in favour of incumbent President Museveni. The commission declared Mr Museveni as winner with 60.7 per cent victory and Mr Besigye as runner up with 35 per cent.
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Dr Besigye has been arrested several times since February 16, two days to polling day. Dr Besigye, like his party, has rejected the results of the February 18, presidential election as rigged by the Electoral Commission in favour of incumbent President Museveni. The commission declared Mr Museveni as winner with 60.7 per cent victory and Mr Besigye as runner up with 35 per cent.
High Court recalls file on Besigye house arrest case
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/High-Court-recalls-file-Besigye-house-arrest-case/-/688334/3128752/-/ue7ei1/-/index.html
The Criminal Division of the High Court has recalled the case file of FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye from Kasangati Magistrate’s Court ahead of the scheduled ruling today. File photo
By FREDERIC MUSISI
Posted Tuesday, March 22 2016 at 12:10KAMPALA. The Criminal Division of the High Court yesterday recalled the case file of FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye from Kasangati Magistrate’s Court ahead of the scheduled ruling today.
Posted Tuesday, March 22 2016 at 12:10KAMPALA. The Criminal Division of the High Court yesterday recalled the case file of FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye from Kasangati Magistrate’s Court ahead of the scheduled ruling today.
Deputy Registrar of the High Court Eleanor Khainza yesterday wrote to Grade One Magistrate Prossy Katushabe, requesting Dr Besigye’s application in which he sued Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura and Kampala North RPC Wesley Nganizi.
“Reference is made to the above matter in which the DPP has petitioned the High Court for a revision. You are requested to send the file to the High Court Division immediately.”
The magistrate wrote back: “This is to forward the above mention case file for revision.”
“Reference is made to the above matter in which the DPP has petitioned the High Court for a revision. You are requested to send the file to the High Court Division immediately.”
The magistrate wrote back: “This is to forward the above mention case file for revision.”
Yesterday morning, the court had ruled that it would proceed with the hearing of the application in which Dr Besigye is challenging his house arrest. The magistrate had set the ruling on the case today at 10.30am.
State Attorney Caroline Nabassa, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions [DPP], had last week requested the court to dismiss the case, arguing that a similar application had been filed at the High Court and continuing with it was tantamount to abuse of the court process.
State Attorney Caroline Nabassa, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions [DPP], had last week requested the court to dismiss the case, arguing that a similar application had been filed at the High Court and continuing with it was tantamount to abuse of the court process.
Earlier contention
However, the magistrate argued that the case before [Kasangati court] was filed under the Police Act which gives the magistrate’s court powers to handle it.
Last evening, Judiciary communications officer Solomon Muyita confirmed the development to this newspaper, saying the date for hearing of the application at the High Court [Criminal Division] will be known by Thursday when a judge has been assigned to it. The DPP had earlier also argued that the IGP and RPC cannot be sued because [in detaining Besigye] they are acting in official capacity and that it is the Attorney General (AG) who is answerable. However,t Ms Katushabe ruled that having given time to the AG to respond to the matter, her court was yet to receive any communication on the immunity of the police boss.
However, the magistrate argued that the case before [Kasangati court] was filed under the Police Act which gives the magistrate’s court powers to handle it.
Last evening, Judiciary communications officer Solomon Muyita confirmed the development to this newspaper, saying the date for hearing of the application at the High Court [Criminal Division] will be known by Thursday when a judge has been assigned to it. The DPP had earlier also argued that the IGP and RPC cannot be sued because [in detaining Besigye] they are acting in official capacity and that it is the Attorney General (AG) who is answerable. However,t Ms Katushabe ruled that having given time to the AG to respond to the matter, her court was yet to receive any communication on the immunity of the police boss.
On the parallel application at the High Court’s Civil Division, she argued that civil proceedings in a higher court cannot stop hearing of criminal proceedings in a lower court and hence called upon all parties to file their submission to court by today 3pm.
The High Court recalling the file means ruling on the application hangs in balance. It was also not clear if Dr Besigye’s lawyers had been notified of the development since only the DPP had been copied in correspondences.
However, Dr Besigye’s lawyer David Mpanga, had called for the unconditional release of his client, pending all the sides reaching a middle ground in the submissions. Mr Mpanga argued that he has been detained more than the mandatory 48 hours.
The magistrate promised to issue ruling on the application today at 10.30am.
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The High Court recalling the file means ruling on the application hangs in balance. It was also not clear if Dr Besigye’s lawyers had been notified of the development since only the DPP had been copied in correspondences.
However, Dr Besigye’s lawyer David Mpanga, had called for the unconditional release of his client, pending all the sides reaching a middle ground in the submissions. Mr Mpanga argued that he has been detained more than the mandatory 48 hours.
The magistrate promised to issue ruling on the application today at 10.30am.
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