The High Court in Kampala has given the government more time to respond to the torture case against the Attorney General and the Deputy Speaker of parliament, Anite Among.
Francis Matovu alias Butto dragged the duo before the High Court Civil Division in Kampala on December 1, 2021, for alleged torture and detention for more than 48 hours without trial in breach of his rights provided for under the constitution.
Matovu explains that police officers arrested him on November 9th 2021 around Speke road in Kampala and whisked him off to Mbuya military barracks in a police pick-up. According to the court records, while in detention, Matovu was never allowed to speak to anyone including his lawyers and next of kin.
His lawyers also note that his tormentors who were dressed in army uniform kept asking him why he was defaming the Deputy Speaker of Parliament as they interrogated him about a dossier that circulated on social media alleging that Among is corrupt having allegedly been involved in a number of corruption scandals.
Matovu denied knowledge of the said dossier. While appearing before Civil Division High Court Judge, Musa Ssekaana, Matovu through his lawyer Denis Wabwire asked for more time to receive a response from the government.
It came after Wabwire explained that shortly before their appearance, Mugisha Twinomugisha, the State Attorney informed him that some copies of the government’s response were missing from the files.
As a result, Justice Ssekaana directed the defendants to appear with their response to the accusations on March 21, 2022. In his application, Matovu had asked Justice Ssekaana to step aside from his case claiming that he had a conflict of interest as he is a friend to Among.
However, Justice Ssekaana declined to step aside noting that the lawyer had no liberty to choose who should preside over the case since he had chosen on his own will to file the case through the High Court in Kampala where he sits.
On November 12th 2021, Matovu appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court where he was charged together with three others for offensive communication stemming from their alleged involvement in reports on social media accusing Among of corruption and influence peddling.
His co-accused included the head of Mobilization for National Unity Platform party in Eastern Uganda, Moses Bigirwa and journalists Pidson Kareire and Moses Mugalula. They were subsequently remanded to Kitalya prison. Buganda Road Chief Magistrate, Gladys Kamasanyu released him on bail on November 19, 2021.
