Bobi Wine's possession of firearms and ammunition charges dropped

Bobi Wine in Gulu before the treason charges were read to him

23 Aug 2018 12:49 PM @ugandaonline

The Kyadondo East Member of Parlaiment Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi has had the possession of firearms and ammunition charges against him dropped, but re-arrested and straight on driven to the civilian court in Gulu where they read to him the treason charges. 

The Chairman of the Court Martial Lt. Gen. Gutti had this to say while dropping the charges'

"This court agrees that proceedings before this court be terminated and the accused be set free as it will be a double jeopardy to the accused persons if proceedings before this court continue. Accordingly, this court pronounces itself on the applications as follows;

1. That continuing to try the accused persons on the same facts of another case in a civil court will cause injustice to the accused,
2. That it is fair and equitable that the accused person be tried in a civil court where he should be charged with other suspects who are not before this court,
3. This court hereby terminates the proceedings against Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi before this court, you are accordingly set free unless being held on other charges."

As Bobi Wine with the help of his brother Eddie Yawe and other colleagues made their way out of court, he was told by his lawyer Medard Ssegona that he was still under arrest and that, they were heading to another court. He asked him to be strong.

The Kyarenga singer who looked knackered as he walked with a single crutch was guided to a waiting white police vehicle that drove him to the Magistrate's Court in Gulu. In the police car, he was in the company of his dear wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi.

While in court, Bobi Wine tried to put on his red beret, but was stopped by the prison officers. The Magistrate who first claimed that Bobi was aged 22, but later admitted that it was a slip of the tongue read to him the treason charge. It is a capital offence and the accused was not allowed to enter into a plea, it was suggested that Bobi be remanded till August 30 when the other suspects would return to the very court.

His lawyer Medard Ssegona chipped with a prayer that the legislator be remanded to a hospital where he can receive treatment, plus other co-accused who were in dire need of medical attention to be referred to a private medical facility. "Fairness demands that you try a person who is in good health," Ssegona added.

In respect of his health, Bobi Wine and others in similar conditions were allowed to receive medical attention at their preferred medical facilities. The case was adjourned to August 30, 2018.

Bobi Wine was driven off in a prison's vehicle.

The look on Bobi Wine after being told by his lawyer that he was still under arrest moments after being released from the Court Martial

Bobi Wine as he faced the Court Martial this morning and inset is the Kyadondo legislator leaving the Court Martial in Gulu after charges were dropped