KAMPALA — Over 100 people have been charged and sent on remand at Luzira prison by the Nateete/Lubaga magistrates court on charges of being in possession of suspected marijuana and hanging out in places where narcotics are sold.
The group inclusive of women and mainly youths has appeared before Grade one magistrate Joel Wegoye who remanded until October 4, to enter plea before the trial chief magistrate.
Mr Wegoye who did not allow the suspects to say anything explained to them he was sitting in for the trial magistrate who has not been at station as he lacks jurisdiction to handle cases involving narcotics.
However the group on charges of being in places where narcotics are sold has pleaded not guilty to the offense and were remanded until the September 26, to present their respective bail applications.
Prosecution led by Ms Mark Beth alleges that on Wednesday at Mabito, Nateete in Rubaga Division , the accused persons including 70 women and 65 men were found with smashed and rolled sticks of marijuana ranging from 18 to 40 without lawful excuse.
However there were six people who were also in court as accused persons but no charge was read to them.
The Magistrates thus told them to meet him in his Chambers to discuss administratively on how they found themselves in court without any charge being levied against them, having spent five days in Police custody.
The suspects were netted following a police operation in areas of Mabiito and Nateete in Lubaga division with an aim of clamping down on idleness and the crime rate in the area.
