I will abide by court ban from Arua out of respect for the law- Wadri

Arua Municipality Member of Parliament elect, Kassiano Ezati Wadri has said that he will abide by the bail requirement to keep away from his constituency for three months not because he has no defiance traits but because he is a law abiding citizen.

“I have very high regard for the rule of law and good governance of this country, since it is the decision of court that I must be banished from my constituency for the next three months, I must abide by it. This is to underscore that I have respect for any decision genuinely taken by courts of law,” Wadri said.

“But I will come back to court to plead that they revise that judgment so I can represent my people because not representing them would be a disservice,” he added.

Wadri however said that the reason court gave him for banning him from his constituency was ridiculous because it is the other way round.

“The reason that if I go to Arua it will be up in flames is frivolous, people will go into flames because of harassment from government and not allowing them to be heard.  The people of Arua can still demand that they are heard and represented and they will be justified,” he said.

Wadri briefly narrated his arrest, saying from his hotel he was kept on a chair for 16 hours before being ushered into a tiny cell and later whisked off to Gulu and into another dingy police cell.

“The situation in Gulu Police station was worse, but the Gulu prisons was far better, they looked after us very well and we appreciate them, we got water for bathing, food items and they treated us humanely. I think the only institution in Uganda that is still professional is Uganda Prison services, I commend them, you must give credit where it is due,” he said.

Wadri lamented that on the day of his arrest, all his documents were confiscated including; National Identity Card, travel documents, financial card, driving permit and several valuables.

“Now that I am out, I will be able to pursue and reach wherever my things are,” he said.

The High Court in Gulu yesterday released on bail 34 people who were arrested during the chaos in Arua that allegedly culminated into the stoning of President Museveni’s convoy.

Through their lawyers led by Medard Sseggona, the group argued that they have their constitutional right, their deteriorating health situation after the alleged torture by security agencies and presumption of innocence among their grounds for applying for bail.

In response, the state prosecutor Lilian Omara did not object to the bail application but asked for stringent terms including confiscation of their passports before being temporarily released.

In his ruling, Justice Stephen Mubiru agreed with both parties and warned the accused against discussing the ingredients of the matter in a public domain as this would be prejudicing the case in court.

The politicians are however supposed to appear before the Gulu chief magistrates court on August 30.