Former Amama body guard changes plea

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Christopher Aine, the former body guard of ex-premier Amama Mbabazi has changed his plea of guilty to not guilty in the case of obstructing police officers on duty. This comes a few days after Aine appeared before Buganda Road Court together with five others on charges of obstructing police officers on duty.

The other suspects are Kenny Sserujongi, Tonny Ssegawa, Daniel Byansi and Samuel Lugemwa. With the exception of Daniel Byansi and Aine, the remaining suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges before Buganda Grade one Magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis.

However, the magistrate didn’t sentence the duo to allow the prosecution to present the facts of the case. On Monday, the State Prosecutor, Mariam Njuki presented the facts of the case rejected before and the duo changed their plea from guilty to not guilty.

According to the facts presented before court, Aine and Byansi blocked police officers, who were manning traffic along Kampala Road on November, 27th, 2019. The duo was reportedly shouting on top of their voices that government was becoming discriminative and selective among the youths by giving out money to some groups and individuals while neglecting those who are entitled to support.

According to the state, police tried to talk to the accused to go to the Constitutional Square and express their grievances there but they insisted on protesting along Kampala road, which led to interference with traffic flow leading to their arrest.

Shortly after the state submission, Aine and Byansi denied the offense and changed their plea to not guilty. Amabilis accordingly sent back the duo to Luzira prison until December, 30th, 2019 when their lawyer, John Paul Rubagumya will apply for bail.

Aine faces extra charges of assault, malicious damage to property and going armed in public unlawfully, which he has also since denied. Prosecution alleges that on November, 27th, Aine damaged the shirt of Police Constable, Peter Eyotaru, which is the property of Uganda Police Force. It is also alleged that Aine caused bodily harm by cutting the arm of a one Denis Kambugu with a knife.

Prosecution also alleges that Aine went armed in public with a weapon in a manner, which causes terror to the public.

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