Daniel Edyegu And Egessa Hajusu
13 January 2008
Kampala — FIVE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supporters, including the Jinja Central Division LC3 chairman, Mubarak Kirunda, have been charged with inciting violence in the concluded Samia-Bugwe North by-elections.
The other suspects are Abubakar Sewagira, Mohammed Ouma, Sowedi Inkaike, and Mohammed Kibaki.
They denied the charges before the Busia Grade One magistrate, Muhamadi Kasakya, on Wednesday.
Prosecution alleged that Kirunda mobilised FDC supporters to burn Mary Businge, the director of Busia Kindergarten, and her sister Rose Kyampaire in their house at Nyangwe parish in Busia town council.
Kirunda was also accused of inciting FDC supporters to stone a vehicle belonging to the resident district commissioner, Robinah Nabanja.
They also allegedly attacked the Minister Without Portfolio, Dorothy Hyuha, and stoned her vehicle. Kirunda and his co-accused were released on bond.
The case was adjourned to January 25.
The FDC spokesperson, Wafula Oguttu, said the charges were fabricated to persecute the opposition.
"The State is simply trying to intimidate us. We will not give up the struggle. They have fabricated these charges as a way of harassing our party supporters and to tie us in courts."
During the by-elections, Sarah Mwebaza (NRM) defeated her main opponent Kevinah Taaka (FDC) with 12,806 votes.
Taaka polled 10,588 votes, while Nathan Wabwire (independent) got 5,372. Democratic Party's Godfrey Osenda trailed with 177.
Mwebaza is wife to former MP Stephen Mugeni Wasike, whose election was nullified by the court for not resigning from public service in time before nomination as required by law.
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