Share this
The Grade One Magistrates Court at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) City Hall dismissed Criminal Case No. 1573 of 2024 against three human rights defenders who were arrested and charged with the offense of taking part in an unlawful assembly contrary to Sections 61 and 62 of the Penal Code Act. The dismissal was based on the fact that the prosecution had failed to prosecute its case against the three pro-democracy actors.
On 24 July 2024, three civil society leaders, Pato Denis, Kalenda Abigail, and Nalunkuuma Ruth, who work with Vijana Corps and the Evidence and Methods Lab, convened a press conference at Hotel Eliana in Ntinda to issue a statement condemning the arbitrary arrests of over 100 university students and other young people for allegedly participating in the peaceful July 2024 anti-corruption protests.
The Police, jointly with officers of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, raided the hotel and arrested the trio before they could address the press. They were then taken to Kira Road Police Station for detention and interrogation.
Taking part in an unlawful assembly contrary to Sections 61 and 62 of the Penal Code Act.
Pato Denis, Kalenda Abigail and Nalunkuuma Ruth on the 24th day of July 2024 at Eliana Hotel, Ntinda in Kampala District, with other persons being assembled with intent to carry out some common purpose, conducted themselves in such a manner as to cause persons in the neighbourhood reasonable fear that the persons so assembled would commit a breach of peace or would by such assembly needlessly and without any reasonable occasion provoke other persons to commit a breach of peace.
On 25 July 2024, the accused persons were released on bail following an application by their Lawyers. Following their release on bail, the case was scheduled for hearing on several occasions, but the State failed to produce its witnesses in Court.
On 20 November 2024, the legal team applied for dismissal of the case for want of prosecution, which was granted under Section 119(1) of the Magistrates Court Act, Cap 19.
