Student jailed for sending love messages to MP Rwawogo says he has suffered injustice

Brian Isiko, a student who was recently convicted of sending love messages to Kabarole Woman Member of Parliament, Sylivia Rwabwogo has told court that he has suffered injustice.

Isiko, 25, a student at YMCA Jinja branch was early this month sentenced to two years’ imprisonment after being convicted of Cyber Harassment and Offensive Communication for sending love messages to the legislator.

He has since appealed against the sentence and also applied for bail pending hearing of his appeal at the High Court.

On Tuesday, through his lawyers led by Ramathan Waiswa, Isiko told court that since his conviction and subsequent sentence, he has suffered a lot of injustice.

“He suffered a lot of injustice during his trial because his plea of not guilty was changed to a plea of guilty by the Magistrate which was a great mistake, “Isiko told court through his lawyer while applying for his bail.

The 25-year-old student asked that he is released on bail so he can attend school as he awaits the determination of his appeal he logged through the court.

“He is a young man whose education depends on the success of this application. We ask that he is released on bail so as to resume studies,” said Waiswa.

According to the lawyer, there is no likelihood that the appeal would be scheduled for hearing soon, asking court to temporarily relieve him as he awaits the outcome of the appeal.

Isiko presented two sureties who included Grace Reagan Muganza, the commander of the UPDF reserve forces for Mukono, Buikwe, Kayunga and Buvuma areas and Godfrey Waako, the Assistant Academic Registrar for Kyambogo University.

“He is a first offender and his offence didn’t include violence or threatening violence. We pray that he is released on bail pending his appeal,”Isiko’s lawyer Waiswa asked court.

The state prosecutor, Gladys Nyanzi however objected to the bail application arguing that Isiko has not proved he is a student at YMCA in Jinja.

“He only brought his admission letter but it does not show he is yet admitted,” said the state prosecutor.

They also argued that he has not proved that he stays with his paternal grandmother.

The state prosecutors asked court to dismiss the application for bail.

Justice Jane Francis Abodo adjourned the matter to Friday August ,3 to deliver his ruling on the bail application by Isiko.

Buganda Road grade one magistrate, Gladys Kamasanyu on July 10 sentenced Isiko to two years’ sentence for Cyber Harassment and Offensive Communication prompting a public uproar over the punishment.

Rwabwogo later cleared the air about the matter saying she feared for her life claiming that the 25-year-old boy had been allegedly been used by some individuals to kill her.

““I endured fear and suffering due to those who sent Brian to trap and kill me. Nebanda was killed in such a way. I didn't have to wait to be killed, as a precautionary measure I had to seek the solace of authorities to protect myself, my family and constituents from horror,” Rwabwogo said in a statement