The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | High Court has ordered the government to produce detained American National Guy Smith and explain why he has spent more than the mandatory 48 hours without appearing in court. Justice Musa Ssekaana, the Head of the High Court Civil Division issued the orders following a success application filed by Smith’s lawyers from the Centre for Legal Aid led by Henry Byansi and his wife, Sharon Tusiime.
In their application, the applicants demanded that the government produces their client in court dead or alive and show cause why they have violated his right to liberty. Tusiime argued that security personnel invaded their home in Fort Portal City at around 2:00 am on March 21, 2021 and forcefully whisked her husband to Kampala.
Court heard that Smith has remained incommunicado at the Special Police Investigations Division headquarters under unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful directives from Brigadier Chris Serunjogi Ddamulira, the Director of Crime Intelligence in the Uganda Police Force. The law requires that suspects appear before the court within 48 hours of their arrest.
Tusiime explains that by the time of his arrest, Smith had just undergone surgery at Ruharo Eye Centre in Mbarara on his right eye on March 16, 2021, and was still recovering when security personnel broke into their house and whisked him away.
She also expressed concern that Smith who on several occasions suffers from heart failure has not been informed about charges against him. In his ruling justice, Ssekaana directed the government, which is sued together with Brigadier Chris Serunjogi Ddamulira, the Director of Crime Intelligence in the Uganda Police Force, the Commandant of Special Investigations Bureau Kireka and the Inspector General of Police to bring Smith in court on May 4 2021 and explain why he should not be released from detention.
Last week, the government, which was being represented by the State Attorney, Franklin Uwizera asked for more time to respond to the case, which was granted. However, the government was no show in court, which prompted the Judge to issue an order directing the government and her security agencies to produce Smith next month.
In March 2021, the Police released a statement, saying that Smith had been detained for subversive activities against the government of Uganda.
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