Court stops Kassiano Wadri from stepping in Arua municipality for three months

If Kassiano Wadri, the Arua Municipality MP elect, wants to step foot in his constituency, he will have to wait until November 27.

This follows a High court ruling in Gulu which issued an order restraining the newly elected Member of Parliament for Arua municipality from stepping foot in his constituency for three months.

Wadri was arrested together with 33 others including Kyadondo East’s Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine, Gerald Karuhanga and Paul Mwiru following the chaos in Arua that allegedly culminated into the stoning of President Museveni’s convoy.

The group were later charged with treason for their intension to harm the president when they threw stones at the convoy.

On Monday, the group were released on bail but with stringent conditions thanks to an earlier prayer by the state prosecutor Lilian Omara who asked court to put strict terms for bail.

“We pray one of the conditions given to Wadri is ordering him stay away from Arua where the violence started from for a minimum of three months to allow investigations to go on in the area. Court may be pleased to add any other conditions of its choice,”Omara asked court on Monday afternoon.

In response, the defence lawyers led by Medard Sseggona said despite court having the discretion to keep the Member of Parliament away from his constituency, it ought the duty to represent his constituents.

“His presence in Arua is not a hindrance to the investigations because he is not a violent man. He has a duty to represent the constituency on monthly basing according to the parliamentary regulations. You have discretion,” Sseggona said.

However, Justice Stephen Mubiru ruled that Wadri would not be allowed to step foot in his constituency for a period of three months until investigations are complete.

“I find persuasion in the request by the prosecution that he(Wadri) restrains himself from the constituency until investigations are done in calm environment, ”Justice Mubiru said.

The judge reasoned that because there was transfer of jurisdiction from Arua where the offence was committed to Gulu, in the same vein, Wadri should be restrained from stepping foot in the area to allow calm to return.

“He is not violent but has no direct control over the electorates,” the judge ruled.

Justice Mubiru however told the new Arua municipality Member of Parliament to always ask for permission from his court in case he needs to step foot in his constituency.

“In the event there is pressing need within the three months, there should be special permission from this court.”