Besigye files application against Nakawa court appearances

Former FDC presidential candidate Dr. Kiiza Besigye has filed an application before the High Court -Criminal Division seeking to formerly block his continued appearance before Nakawa Magistrates Court which he says has no powers to try him for treason.

The application is fixed for  hearing on the March 22, 2017 before  justice  Wilson Kwesiga.

Besigye Wednesday honoured his bail appearance before the High Court Criminal  registrar Emmanuel  Baguma, after which he  informed journalists that if his application is granted, it will reduce on the time and costs he spends while rotating in lower courts that lack jurisdiction to try capital offences.

Besigye  said that he has hope that the application will help to harmonize his situation with the DPP who has made him appear in  the lower court for the eight months without committing him for trial.

On his previous appearance, Besigye  told Nakawa court grade one  magistrate Noah Sajjabi that he will not be returning to his court for the mention of his  treason case unless arrested and brought as a prisoner. The Nakawa Magistrates Court had ordered him to report back on February 25.

The treason charges stem from a video recording that went viral on social media in May last year  showing Besigye allegedly swearing in himself as the president of the republic of Uganda and his repeated utterances of being  the winner of the 2016  February presidential polls.

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editor@independent.co.ug