UGANDA: Magistrate court issues criminal summons against Besigye’s aide

Mr Sam Mugumya and two others are accused of stealing two mobile phones and Shs11,000 from a hawker in Kasese during the Kasese Woman by-election campaign last year.

The Kasese Grade One Magistrate’s Court has issued a criminal summon against Mr Sam Mugumya, an aide to the former FDC president, Dr Kizza Besigye.

Mr Mugumya together with Mr Francis Mwijukye, an FDC Youth winger and Mr Robert Kisekwa are charged with simple robbery.

The court presided over by Magistrate Patrick Bamuhiga, issued criminal summons for Mr Sam Mugumya to appear in court on April 10 for the hearing of the case.

Mr Mwijukye and Mr Kisekwa were in court and are out of prison on bail.

State prosecutor Mike Mwanje said it was impossible to proceed with the hearing of the case when Mr Mugumya was not in court.

The suspects are accused of stealing two mobile phones and Shs11,000 from a hawker in Kasese during the Kasese Woman by-election campaigns last year.

They also allegedly assaulted the hawker.

Mr Geoffrey Sibendire, a lawyer who represented the accused, said Mr Mugumya was undergoing prosecution in another case in Kampala.

“I was given instructions to appear for the accused but it is true one of my clients is not here in court. The reason he is not appearing today is beyond his means because he is on remand in Luzira Prison,” Mr Sibendire said.

The presiding magistrate set April 10 as the last day of hearing evidence from the remaining three state witnesses before fixing the date for the accused to defend themselves.

Saturday Monitor (23/03/2013): http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Magistrate-court-issues-criminal-summons-/-/688334/1727760/-/pqobif/-/index.html