MUKONO – The Mukono Chief Magistrates court has extended the arrest warrants of retired Maj. Gen. Matayo Kyaligonza and his two bodyguards.
H/W Juliet Hatanga extended the warrants of arrest on Monday, July 8, to 2 weeks following a plea made by the Resident State Attorney, Jonathan Muwaganya.
The accused persons that include Corporal Peter Busindiche and Private John Okurut along with their boss Rtd Major General Matayo have continuously defied court summons in a case where they are accused of assaulting Sgt Esther Namaganda – a traffic police officer – on February 24, at Seeta in Mukono district.
On June 10, H/W Hatanga gave the Inspector General of Police orders to arrest Major Kyaligonza and his bodyguards and produce them in court on June 24.
Since then efforts by the accused persons’ lawyers; Caleb Alaka, David Balondemu, Evans Ocheng, Jamiru Sanyu Mukama to see that their clients’ warrants of arrest are nullified were all in vain.
One of the accused persons’ lawyer, Counsel Jamiru Sanyu Mukama asked the magistrate Juliet Hatanga not to consider the state’s plea saying the matter is before the High Court.
However, H/W Hatanga has ruled in favour of the State.
“On 20th June 2019, I received an order from the High Court calling for the original file for revision. However, I have not yet received any direction from the High Court as to whether I should not listen to the case.” H/W Hatanga revealed.
“I, therefore, extend the warrants to two weeks. The accused will be expected in court on July 22,” she asserted.
Counsel Micheal Aboneka of Timothy and Micheal and Company advocates – the legal representatives of Sgt Namaganda expressed his joy saying he is pleased with the magistrate’s ruling.
“Today the Chief Magistrate made a ruling which we believe is true that there is no court order at the moment stating the proceedings of the lower court.” He said.
“Even when the file has been transferred to the high court that alone does not mean that the proceedings have stayed. The court has agreed with us and they have extended the warrants of arrest to July 22 when General should appear in court and take plea,” he noted
He also said that Maj. Gen. Kyaligonza and his bodyguards were being disrespectful to the law.
“Respect court, come and respond to the issues raised because the court is a people court. We hope that the General and his lawyers will think about the consequences because we have been here since March. It’s now 4 months and we come to court every day to make sure justice is seen,” he added
However, Counsel Mukama has defended his clients saying they are law-abiding citizens.
“Our clients are law-abiding citizens of this country. They respect the doctrine of the rule of law which all systems of this country operate o,” said Counsel Mukama.
