Ephraim Kasozi
12 November 2009
Business at Makindye Chief Magistrates Court and its neigbourhood was paralysed as local musician, Mr Mathias Walukagga was charged with attempting to extort money from businessman, Ssalongo Kasawuli.
Jubilant crowds stormed court premises to welcome Mr Walukagga from Luzira Prison. The folksong singer was remanded on Monday.
Riot and Military Police were called in to control the mammoth crowd that jammed the court.
Mr Walukagga's symphasisers who had blocked routes leading to the court, camped outside as the court session progressed.
Inside the court were popular musicians who included among others Jose Chameleone, Bobi Wine and DJ Michael.
Mr Walukagga denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Joyce Kavuma, who heard the case in a packed courtroom. Ms Kavuma released Mr Walukagga after the singer paid a non-cash bond of Shs1 million and presenting five sureties through his lawyer, Mr Elias Lukwago. He will re-appear in court on December 1.
Its is alleged that on October 20, at Pacify Hotel-Wakaliga in Kampala, Mr Walukagga, the Director of Vision Productions Studio tried to extort Shs60 million from Mr Kasawuli, the proprietor of Samona Products Company.
Alleged extortion
Mr Walukagga allegedly threatened Mr Kasawuli that if he failed to pay the money, he would release music that portrays him as a witch, conman, defiler or rapist.
Last week, Mengo Chief Magistrate Philip Odoki issued a temporary injunction restraining Mr Walukagga agents and persons deriving authority under him including radio stations, television station and disco clubs from playing to the public the Tuleppuke and Bwino womutembeyi songs.
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