Kampala, 18th/Nov/2016; The Chief Magistrates Court at Mengo on 18th/11/2016 adjourned the case against Makumbi Joseph, a journalist working with the Vision Group. The matter had come up for further hearing; however the State Attorney told Court that she had no witnesses.
Makumbi, through his Lawyers Ntende Kenneth from HRNJ-Uganda and Kirabira Tonny from the Vision Group prayed that the case be dismissed for want of prosecution. The state has over seven potential witnesses who recorded statements who are police officers and fully aware of the Criminal justice system, but have unfortunately refused to come and testify so that their evidence is subjected to cross examination. The prosecution has produced only one witness, GPL Alule Musizi Tamimu, the Complainant in the three previous court sessions.
The presiding Magistrate, Nyakana Allan granted the state their last adjournment for 21st/December/ 2016 or else the case be dismissed.
“This case has hindered my work; I spend a lot of time in Court defending myself from charges of allegedly assaulting a police officer. “Am hopeful that justice will be served at the end of the process.” Makumbi said after a court session.
The prosecution alleges that on 20th/July/2016 at Old Kampala police station, Kampala District Makumbi assaulted CPL Alule Musizi Tamimu (No 41676), a police officer, who at the time was acting in the due execution of his duty.
In another development, the Security personnel at Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Kampala confiscated the identity card of Katende Norman, a journalist attached to New Vision. The Journalist had been assigned to take photos of UNRA offices at Kyambogo. HRNJ-Uganda and the legal team from New Vision are seeking immediate redress for the journalist.
“We shall continue to defend the work of journalists from such organized attacks.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala
