We are still examining Kabuleta’s case file- says DPP

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mike Chibita has said his office has received the case file for evangelist cum journalist Joseph Kabuleta but noted they are still examining it.

Kabuleta was arrested by plain clothed security operatives on Friday at a restaurant in Lugogo before being detained at the Special Investigations Division in Kireka.

On Monday, Police said Kabuleta’s file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for perusal.

Addressing journalists at his office, Chibita said they had received the file but noted they are yet to finalise with examining it before Kabuleta is arraigned in court.

“It is true we received the file but it is still under perusal and a decision has not yet been taken on what to do next with it,”Chibita said.

Ordinarily, after police opens up a file, they send it to the DPP’s office for perusal and advice on what to do next with it.

If the DPP is satisfied with evidence that would lead to success of the case, he sanctions it for prosecution and the suspect is arraigned before courts of law.

On the other side, the DPP might ask the police to continue with investigations in a bid to enrich the file with facts that would lead to a successful prosecution of the matter.

According to the DPP, this process normally takes not less than two weeks depending on the complicity of the matter.

However, Chibita said Kabuleta’s case is of public interest and that the file would be worked upon expeditiously.

“We will ensure before the week is over, the decision is made,”Chibita noted.

This comes at a time when Kabuleta’s relatives stormed the Special Investigations Division headquarters in Kireka protesting against his continued detention without trial.

His lawyer, Daniel Walyemera said he had been denied access to the jailed client.

“It is unfortunate that authorities at SID officials denied Joseph Kabuleta access to his legal team in disregard of his constitutional rights to access to legal representation,” a statement from Watchman Ministry led by Kabuleta said on Sunday.

Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga on Friday said Kabuleta had been arrested for ridiculing President Museveni on social media by referring to him as a thief and gambler.

“According to preliminary information, the writer (Kabuleta) posted grossly offensive messages, under “Joseph Kabuleta Weekly Rant Returns” referring to the fountain of honour as a “Gambler, Thief and Liar”. Section 25 of the Computer Misuse Act, 2011 criminalises such acts of communication,”Enanga said.