Kampala, 30th/May/2012;
A
High Court judge David Wangutusi has acquitted a Mega FM journalist Otim
Patrick and 12 other suspects who have
been on charges of treason and concealment oftreason for lack of sufficient
evidence to sustain a prima facie case.
Justice Wangutusi before acquitting the
accused held that theconcealment of treason count is rendered defective because
the prosecution failed to identify any accused persons who knew persons
intending to overthrow the government. Therefore, there is no proof of those
who knew and failed to report.
Defense
lawyers led by Yunus Kasirivu, Ladislaus Rwakafuzi, Musa Ssembajja, Sauda Nsereko
and Darlton continuously bowed as each of the accused persons was discharged.
The
accused are journalist Patrick Otim, Patrick Komaketch, Alex Okot Langwen, John
Otim, PatrickOkello, Jimmy OcengOpoka aka Billy, Francis Akena, Abonga Nick,
Micheal Obol, Alfred LubelOlanya, Lt. Emmy Oryem Mwaka and Sgt. DevolenteMenya.
However, there are fears that Okot
Langwen and Abonga have been re-arrested by the CID department of police and
whisked off to Kibuli.
Patrick
Otim was kidnapped in 2009 and detained incommunicado for more than a month and
he was brought to court through a habeas corpus filled by Human Rights Network
for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda).
Prosecution
alleges that the suspects committed the offence between 2006 and May 2009 in
eight districts of Kampala, Masindi, Gulu, Pader, Kitgum, Nebbi, Apac and Amuru
when they formed a rebel group called the Popular Patriotic Front (PPF) and
recruited people to fight and overthrow President YoweriMuseveni’s government.
It further alleges that they mobilized logistical support for the rebellion by
obtaining satellite phones, Global Positioning System (GPS) machines, solar
panels, black polythene sheets, gumboots, laptops, walkie talkies and firearms.
Speaking
after the release, Otim applauded HRNJ-Uganda for the support rendered to him and
his family since 2009 after the kidnap.
“I cannot imagine that am now out of prison because there are many
inmates who have spent more than ten years in Upper prison languishing without
knowing their fate.
He
added that as a torture victim, the scars continue to haunt him and he fears
for his life when he returns to the community.
“Justice
has finally been served. The people in
Uganda have very little faith in the justice system in this country, but it is scenarios
like this that restore the faith. This ruling is an achievement to the legal
fraternity and the human rights circles as well. Otim Patrick and others have
attained the liberty they deserve.” Said the
HRNJ-Uganda Program Coordinator Wokulira Ssebaggala
For More Information Contact;
Human
Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road Mengo Kampala Opp. St.
Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX.
71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel:
+256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail:
news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website:
www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG:
http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
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