Arua chaos: MPs Wadri, Karuhanga, Mwiru , Others remanded over treason

The Magistrates Court in Gulu has charged and remanded over 30 people including several Members of Parliament with treason on Thursday afternoon in regards to the chaos in Arua on Monday.

Following the chaos in Arua town that culminated into the alleged stoning of President Museveni’s convoy, a number of people were consequently arrested by security.

On Thursday, the group that included MPs Paul Mwiru, Kassiano Wadri and Gerard Karuhanga among other politicians were arraigned before the magistrates court in Gulu and treason charges read to them.

The group through their lawyers led by Medard Sseggona and Darlton Opwonya however protested against the charge brought against them by the state.

“We want to have this on record that we protest against the treason charges brought against the accused,”Opwonya told court.

The Gulu Chief Magistrate Francis Matenga Dawa however told them that the group was facing a capital offense only tried by the High Court.

Protest torture

Lawyer Ssseggona told court that most of the accused had been badly beaten and kicked during and after their arrest.

“Some of them were badly beaten by SFC soldiers and police .Some of their internal organs have been badly damaged and are in dire need of medical attention,”Sseggona told court.

The lawyer mentioned some of the accused’s names whom he said can neither sit nor walk by themselves and need urgent medical attention.

“We were advised by the police medical department to do X- ray examinations and we want to go to a private hospital with specialized doctors because we can’t trust government doctors to do it,” the lawyer added.

The Gulu Chief magistrate remanded the group to August 30 for the mention of the case but ordered prison authorities to avail them with medical examination at a facility of their (accused) choice and cost.

According to police, chaos erupted  on Monday when Kassiano Wadri’s  supporters tried to block the presidential motorcade as President Museveni left Arua Boma  prompting security forces to fire teargas and bullets in the air to ‘calm’ the situation.

The president was being chauffeured to Pokea Primary School board his chopper after campaigning for Nusura Tiperu, the NRM candidate in the Arua Municipality by-elections.

“One of the president’s cars was attacked and smashed by the hooligans that were donning colours of one of the contestants in the election, Kassiano Wadri,”Kayima said.

“At this point, security intervened by firing live bullets in the air and teargas to calm the situation.”

He added that earlier, the same group had tried to block the convoy using a grader.