Masaka, 11th March 2016; A Magistrates Court in Masaka has on March 11, continued hearing of a criminal case against a ruling party politician, Eddie Ssansa, with a police officer testifying and producing a damaged smart phone which the Daily Monitor newspaper journalist Shamim Jjingo Nakawooya was using to record news when she was reportedly assaulted by the suspect, damaging her gadget in the process.
Testifying before Grade One Magistrate, Aisha Nabukeera, Detective Corporal Mandela Henry told court that Ssansa admitted to damaging Shamim’s property while recording his statement, but denied assaulting her. Mandela said that he investigated the matter following orders to do so by his boss, the OC CID Masaka Central Police Station. He further told court that he visited the scene of crime at the Regional Police Headquarters in Masaka where he met an eye witness Afande Lwanga who promised to record a witness statement but unfortunately, Mandela was transferred before Lwanga could record the said statement.
The prosecution alleges that Sansa a former contestant for ruling National Resistance Movement party flag for Member of Parliament for Lwengo, Southern Uganda, on 28th October, 2015 slapped on the cheeks, boxed in the chest and fondled Shamiim’s breasts for asking him what he described as an embarrassing question as to whether he had debts, and damaged her property.
The matter was adjourned to 30th March 2016 for further hearing when Ssansa’s lawyer is expected to cross examination Detective Corporal Mandela. Ssansa told court that his lawyer was away on sick leave. Two other witnesses have testified against Ssansa.
“We commend the court for taking a firm decision to hear the case despite the accused’s request to have it adjourned. We hope for an expeditious trial of this matter.” said the HRNJ-Uganda Legal Chief, Diana Nandudu.
