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Court acquits stick-wielding man who attempted to attack Bishop Luwalira
Herbert Solomon Kaddu in the dock at Mwanga II Magistrate’s Court. PHOTO BY JULIET KIGONGO
What you need to know:
- Butabika National Referral Hospital psychiatrist told court that Kaddu gets episodes of excessive excitement, restlessness and irritation which makes him believe that he is a super being compared to others and thus he is still receiving treatment from their facility as an out-patient.
KAMPALA. Court has acquitted the stick-wielding man who attempted to attack Rt Reverend Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira, the bishop of Namirembe diocese during Easter prayers.
Mr Joel Wagoye, the presiding magistrate at Mwanga II Magistrate’s Court Thursday acquitted Herbert Solomon Kaddu on grounds that he was mentally ill.
Kaddu had been charged with three offences which included; threatening Bishop Luwalira and Canon Benon Kityo, the dean of Namirembe diocese with violence and disturbing religious assemblies on April 1, 2018.
The magistrate acquitted Kaddu based on evidence presented by defence witnesses and Butabika National Referral Hospital.
The witnesses told court that at the time of his arrest on April 1, 2018, Kaddu was making alarms and uttering uncoordinated words and expressions, parked his car in front of St. Paul's Cathedral Namirembe entrance leaving the engine running with the door open and ran past the security as he headed for the altar where the bishop was despite attempts to stop him.
Rt Reverend Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira, the bishop of Namirembe diocese
“Such actions are not in line with a normal human behaviour and this is more so that none of the accusers were known to the accused. I find the defence evidence believable. I find the accused not guilty with the offences he is charged by reason of insanity under Section 171 of the Magistrate’s Act,” he added.
The magistrate ruled that when a special finding is made under that section, the court is mandated to report the case for the order of the Minister of justice to determine on whether he should be discharged or kept in a psychiatric home.
“I order that the accused be kept in Luzira prison awaiting the minister’s direction,” Mr Wagoye ruled.
The magistrate also relied on the evidence of a Butabika hospital psychiatrist Dr Irene Apio who testified that she has been treating Kaddu for bipolar disorder, a condition Kaddu has suffered since 1998 when he was in Primary school.
A video grab of Herbert Kaddu running towards the altar St. Paul's Cathedral Namirembe during Easter prayers on April 1, 2019
The doctor further told court that Kaddu gets episodes of excessive excitement, restlessness and irritation which makes him believe that he is a super being compared to others and thus he is still receiving treatment from their facility as an out-patient.
Doctor Apio also told court that Kaddu had stabilised but relapsed in 2014 when his family decided to treat him using traditional means after falsely believing that he had supernatural spirits that prevent him from becoming rich.
