The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | Buganda Road Court has stayed the criminal trial of Makerere University Senior Reseacher Dr.Stella Nyanzi, accused of cyber harassment and offensive communication against the person of the president, until the Constitutional Court has disposed of and given guidance on the petition she filed last year.
Nyanzi is challenging the state’s move to first ascertain her mental status basing on a law {the Mental Treatment Act of 1938} that was enacted during colonial era, with an intention of subjecting suspects to compulsory mental treatment
Chief Magistrate James Eremye Mawanda ruled that his court is bound by the Constitutional Court guidance; and the fact that there is a subsisting petition, it is only prudent to stay the criminal trial so that when the petition is disposed of, Buganda Road Court can be guided on how to proceed.
The Magistrate also advised Dr. Nyanzi’s lawyer Isaac Ssemakadde to see to it that he moves the Constitutional Court to have his client’s case heard expeditiously, so that Dr.Nyanzi’s right to a fair trial is not infringed upon, and the fact that she is currently out of employment having been suspended by Makerere University, because of the said case.
Dr.Nyanzi has to keep reporting to Buganda road Court on April 06, 2018, as she pursues her constitutional petition.
Nyanzi is said to have written a post on her facebook page referring to President Museveni as a pair of buttocks.
