Bobi Wine’s musical partner, Ali Bukeni alias Nubian Li, and his personal bodyguard, Eddy Ssebufu alias Eddie Mutwe appeared before court martial today, alongside 46 other National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters, where they were charged with unlawful possession of ammunition.
The suspects were charged in absence of their lawyers, who, as well as the family members and friends, were denied access to the court.
“…. [the 48 names] were found in unlawful possession of 4 rounds of live ammunition of AK47, the said ammunition being ordinarily a monopoly of the Defense forces,” the Charge sheet read in part.
Bobi Wine took to social media to express his dissatisfaction with the court’s decisions.
“I find it difficult that a man who claims to be a General can be so scared of the people to a point of behaving in a shameful manner. Like we have said repeatedly, we have information that they plan to plant guns, drugs, and other materials in homes of comrades so as to arrest them and charge them with such bogus cases,” Bobi said.
Nubian Li and Eddie Mutwe were arrested on 30th December 2020 in Kalangala district where Bobi Wine had gone to campaign.
Police said on Monday that a total of 126 people who were arrested included Kyagulanyi’s drivers and private bodyguards would be charged with six counts.
On Monday 4th January, the suspects who included Nubian Li, and Eddie Mutwe appeared before two separate courts – Masaka Chief Magistrate Charles Yeteise and Masaka Grade One Magistrate Grace Wakholi – and were granted bail.
However, they were never released despite attempts by NUP lawyers to secure their release.
During the Thursday court sitting a total of 60 accused persons including Nubian Li and Eddie Mutwe were not produced in court.
Only one of the buses made it to court while the other one that transported Nubian Li and Eddie Mutwe didn’t. The suspects who were being driven to the court were later diverted and were being held at Makindye Miltary Barracks.
“On the way to court, the bus in which they were travelling in was diverted to Kampala and now we’re told they are being detained at Makindye Military Barracks,” the Secretary General,NUP, David Lewis Rubongoya said.
The presiding magistrate, Mr. Yeteise, yesterday ordered for the immediate release of 46 of the previously arrested NUP members who appeared before the court and who also fulfilled their bail conditions.
