Ugandan military court drops charges against star legislator

KAMPALA, Aug. 23  — A military court seating in the northern Ugandan district of Gulu on Thursday dropped charges against independent opposition leaning legislator Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi over illegal possession of firearms.
Andrew Gutti, chairman of the General Court Martial, ruled that the charges be withdrawn and terminated after an application by the prosecution.
Prosecution asked court to hand over Kyagulanyi to the police so that he could be taken to a civilian court to face the same charges as his colleagues.
The defense welcomed the dropping of the charges but protested the prosecution’s argument, saying that the court should not be used as arresting vessel for other courts.
Kyagulanyi’s arrest on Aug. 13 has drawn public anger following reports that he was tortured by the military.
Kyagulanyi and three other legislators including their supporters were arrested in the northwestern district of Arua following the alleged stoning of President Yoweri Museveni’s convoy.
The other legislators and their supporters were charged with treason in a civilian court while Kyagulanyi was arraigned in a military court and faced charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
One of the other three legislators was not charged in any of the courts, though he was hospitalized for injuries he allegedly sustained due to military torture.
The capital Kampala was on Aug. 20 rocked with riots over Kyagulanyi’s arrest and alleged torture. One person died and several others were arrested by the police. – XINHUA