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Rearrest of suspects dominates Benedicto Kiwanuka Memorial Day
Benedicto Kiwanuka
Kampala-The continued rearrests of suspects within court premises upon their release on bail, dominated the second Benedicto Kiwanuka Memorial Day in Kampala last Friday.
Mr Francis Harimwomugasho, the secretary general of the Uganda Law Society, in his remarks, decried the rearrest of fellow lawyers.
He cited the recent example of Mr James Mubiru, who was a fortnight ago, grabbed by plain clothed security operatives at International Crimes Division of the High Court, while representing suspects in the murder case of former spokesperson of the police Andrew Felix Kaweesi.
The accused persons had been released on bail when the heavily armed security men rearrested them and their lawyer, who was transporting them in his car.
Mr Harimwomugasho said majority of the lawyers had kept away from attending the memorial lecture as a way of expressing their dissatisfaction about the continued arrest of their colleagues.
“Some advocates want to know the justification of why they should continue to attend events like [memorial day] this when one of us is arrested for being an advocate,” Mr Harimwomugasho said, adding: “We would want to join in celebrating a great man every other year as 3,200 advocates but as you can see, we are less than 200 advocates. It is not a protest though.”
Justice minister Kahinda Otafiire in his remarks said he was not aware of the arrest of any lawyer before promising to followup the matter.
“I am the bridge between you and the other states organs. How come that an incident like the arrest of an advocate takes place and it is not brought to my notice? Certainly, if it had been brought to my notice, I would have done my level best to ensure that this person is handled appropriately,” Mr Otafiire said.
“Now that it has been brought to my attention, I am going to liaise with other heads of departments, security officers and we ensure that we address that problem. I promise you,” Mr Otafiire added.
Deputy Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo advised lawyers not to shun such Judicial events, saying it would contribute to the same abuse of human rights.
Since last year, the Judiciary has set aside every September 21 to commemorate and celebrate the life of the late Kiwanuka.
This year’s commemoration was under the theme: “The quest for justice and the rule of law.”
About Ben Kiwanuka
Kiwanuka was the first Ugandan Chief Justice who served from 1971 to 1972 and was murdered on the orders of then President Amin.
Scanty accounts indicate that the late Kiwanuka was abducted on the September 21, 1972 at the High Court building in Kampala by security men and taken to unknown place.
