Three Kigezi high school students remanded for causing grevious harm

Kabale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Three students from Kigezi High School in Kabale district have been charged and remanded to prison for causing grievous harm to a colleague.

Those remanded were identified as Japheth Owoyesiga,19, a resident of Rwamucucu sub-county in Rukiga district, Lucy Ainebyoona, 20, a resident of Rwamagara village in Kabale district and Hosea  Kwetegyeka, 20, a resident of Nyaruhenga in Kanungu district.

They are accused of assaulting and causing grievous harm to their colleague Anselem Akampurira on November 23, 2023. They pleaded not guilty to the charges and asked the court to grant them bail allegedly to enable them to sit for the Advanced Certificate of Education Examinations.

But, the court was thrown into laughter when Kabale Grade One magistrate Julius Mutabazi declared their reasons irrelevant and wondered how final examinations would be conducted in June.

Kabale District State Attorney Rachael Nkwanzi also asked the court to deny them bail saying that the credentials of Owoyesiga and Ainebyoona’s sureties lacked merit. She argued that the release of the trio could antagonize the case.

The magistrate concurred with Nkwanzi’s arguments saying that Owoyesiga produced a tenant in his father’s house instead of his biological father to stand surety for him. He says that a tenant has no say about the children of his landlord.

Mutabazi also rejected one of Ainebyoona’s sureties saying that he appeared without an introductory letter from the LCI chairman of his area nor did he produce a work identity card to prove that he is a teacher at Kigezi High School as claimed.

The three were remanded to Ndorwa government prison until Thursday, June 13, 2024, when he will give a ruling on their bail application. The victim didn’t show up in court.

However, Magistrate Mutabazi expressed disappointment over the high level of indiscipline among Kigezi High School students, despite being recognized as one of the best schools in the Kigezi region.

He explained that about six months ago, he handled a similar case where six senior six students were accused of causing grievous harm to fellow students and forced the victimized student to change the school.

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