The State Prosecutor in the case in which Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party president Olara Otunnu is accused of defaming president Museveni has told court that he is not ready to prosecute the suspect because the police has not submitted the file.
UPC president Dr. Olara Otunnu
“Your worship I am not ready to continue with the case because I do not have the police file yet,” David Lukwago, the Buganda Road court resident state attorney, told court Wednesday afternoon.
Consequently, Otunnu’s lawyers, Asuman Basalirwa and Nicholas Opiyo also informed court that they had written applications they wanted to file in court.
This prompted the trial magistrate, Araali Muhiirwa to adjourn the matter to October 7 for mention and subsequently November 25 for hearing. Muhiirwa also extended Otunnu’s bail and asked him to return his passport to court.
Otunnu, who had appeared before court for further mention of the defamation case, also faces more charges in the same court for snubbing police summons.
The case was referred to the Constitutional Court for interpretation after Otunnu challenged it.
Prosecution alleges that on January 16, 2013 while at the UPC party headquarters at Uganda House, Otunnu with intent to defame, allegedly published defamatory matter against the person of President Museveni.
State further claims that on February 28, 2013 without reasonable excuse, Otunnu ignored police summons to appear before the Media Crime Department at CIID despite acknowledging receipt of the summons at a press conference at Uganda House. Otunnu however, denies the charges.
Otunnu’s troubles stem from a January 16 press conference he addressed and allegedly questioned the deaths of what he called President Museveni’s allies since the Front for National Salvation’s (FRONSA) struggles to date, saying they should be investigated.
By Job Bwire, The New Vision
