Police have announced a ban on bottles and political parties' attire in courts of law following an incident in which a magistrate was hit with a bottle on the head.
Following Dr Stella Nyanzi’s sentencing, her sympathisers inside the courtroom turned rowdy, insulting the presiding Magistrate, Gladys Kamasanyu before throwing bottles at her, one of which hit her face.
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Addressing a weekly press briefing at the police headquarters in Naguru, police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said following the unfortunate incident, they have put in place strict measures that would help enhance security.
“There will be thorough screening at the entrance for those going to court and another screening at the entrance to the courtroom. Party colours, bottles and other items that can lead to such incidents are banned,” Enanga said.
https://nilepost.co.ug/2019/08/04/judiciary-says-acts-of-hooliganism-exhibited-during-stella-nyanzi-case-have-no-place-in-society/
He asked members of the public to adhere to the new security measures.
Following the debacle, six people were arrested and according to the police mouthpiece, they will be charged with contempt of court, obstruction of justice and defying lawful order from police officers.
Enanga said they will review CCTV camera footage to arrest more suspect involved in the debacle at the Buganda road court last week.
“We condemn acts which put the lives of other court users in danger just because of their politics theatrics. We want this to serve as a lesson to all those who would have wanted to engage in acts of hooliganism,” the police mouthpiece said.
He noted that the police will also look at alternative charges of destroying the court’s property.
The judiciary also condemned the acts of hooliganism exhibited by Nyanzi's sympathisers last week.
Makerere University Research fellow, Dr. Stella Nyanzi was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment after being convicted of cyber harassment after a Facebook post in which he harassed President Museveni and his late mother.
The trial magistrate, Gladys Kamasanyu noted that the post by Nyanzi was a blow below the belt when it in a disgusting, nasty and immoral manner described the private parts of a dead woman, something against the norm in African society.
Kamasanyu said that if Nyanzi intended to carry a sensible message, she should have used a more reasonable language which is not corrupting of children and youths whom she said she was fighting for.
