It is not clear whether the media selectively focuses attention on court cases where the prosecutors perform dismally. There have been many high profile cases involving corruption, treason, defilement, murder and so forth that have collapsed in the face of scrutiny to the detriment of the taxpayers. These cases have portrayed a bad image of the office of the Prosecutor. It is now seen as incompetent and partisan to regime’s political adversaries.
A good example is that of opposition FDC stalwart Dr. Kizza Besigye who has faced a multitude of kitchen sink cases. Dr Besigye has been accused of every transgression under the sun, from treason, rape, assault and others, to the point that the Police even revised an old colonial era law based on prediction of crime to maliciously violate Besigye’s fundamental rights to associate, and his inherent liberty as a citizen.
In all these cases, Dr. Besigye has emerged triumphant, unscathed. These demonstrate that the Police and the Prosecutors have found cases where none existed. Take for example the death of Butaleja MP, Cerina Nebanda. The prosecutors could not convince a Judge, leave alone swaying public opinion on the matter that someone, other than Nebanda’s boyfriend, overdosed her. The UPDF soldier in Luzira, who returned from Somalia and sprayed his girlfriend with bullets over infidelity, killing her instantly along with her friends in public view walked out too.
In most high profile cases involving regime personalities, only Lydia Draru, so far, was effectively convicted, over the death of the former Army Commander Maj. Gen. James Kazini, moreover on weak evidence. Seemingly, the public is convinced of Draru’s culpability and innocence. It is the rule that all those who cannot afford lawyers are guilty; some even on wrong charges!
This article was conceptualised after a thorough reflection on the matter of justice in Uganda. It questions the performance of the Office of the Prosecutor, the competence of the Uganda Police, and more-so, the essence of the Criminal Investigation Department in fighting crime.
The role of the Police in solving crime or perpetuating it is suspect. Little wonder then, that there is an escalation of apathy and contempt towards the justice system as a whole, leading to mob justice. Read more
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