Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Judge threatens to quit 2010 terror case

Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo
The ongoing trial of 13 men accused of masterminding the July 11, 2010 twin bombings in Kampala took a dramatic twist on Tuesday when the presiding judge threatened to quit the case.
Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo made the threat after the state failed to produce two different sets of witnesses from Uganda and Tanzania, claiming that they were busy with election-related activities in either country.
“It seems now [that] politics is more important than justice. I’m warning you, Counsel [Suzan Okalany]; if you don’t bring witnesses tomorrow [Wednesday], I will adjourn this case to the next convenient session,” he said.
“This case is either through with me or I am through with it. Even if the witnesses are in Kisoro or Yumbe they should be here by tomorrow.”
Justice Owiny-Dollo’s outburst came after Okalany, the senior principal attorney prosecuting the case, asked the judge to adjourn to next week awaiting Tanzanian witnesses.
“The Tanzanian DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions] informed me that they [witnesses] couldn’t make it because they are having several issues in their country due to elections. We beg for your indulgence, my lord. They will be here [Uganda] next week,” Okalany said. Read more

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