Anti-Atwine protesters case pushed to January

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Law Development Center (LDC) Magistrate Court has pushed to January the case in which two people are accused of inciting violence by dropping a casket demanding the immediate resignation of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine for allegedly mishandling COVID-19 response funds.

Augustine Ojobile and Sharif Kawooya were arrested in August from Kasubi and Kawempe respectively.

The coffin had placards with words attacking Dr. Atwine. “COVID-19 is not a profit venture,” read on one of the placards. In September, the two suspects were released on bail.

On Thursday, Joy Apolot, the State Attorney told the court that the state needs more time to carry out investigations into the case. She requested an adjournment until investigations are completed.

However, Ojobile and Kawooya decried the delayed hearing of the case. Ojobile also told the court that Kawempe police confiscated his phone worth 600,000 Shillings when he was arrested. He asked the court to order the police to return the phone.

But Apolot advised the accused to make a formal complaint with proof that the phone was taken.

Justice Alule Augustine, the LDC Court Magistrate adjourned the case to January 11, and ordered the prosecution to expedite the investigations.

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