Court refers MP Akamba torture claim for constitutional interpretation

Justice Lawrence Gidudu of the Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday told the embattled MP and his lawyers that his court had no jurisdiction over the claims they were making

Busiki County legislator Paul Akamba's claim that he cannot stand trial for corruption because he was allegedly abducted and tortured by security forces is a matter for the interpretation of the Constitututional Court.

Justice Lawrence Gidudu of the Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday told the embattled MP and his lawyers that his court had no jurisdiction over the claims they were making.

The MP argues that he should not be tried for corruption because security officials mistreated him and violated his rights by abducting him at court.

Mr Akamba was in June forcibly re-arrested at the court premises shortly after he had been granted bail. Security operatives bundled him into an omnibus and drove off to unknown location.

The MP was held incommunicado for several days.

However, the State has previously told the court that Mr Akamba was protected from anti-corruption protesters and taken to Kireka for safe custody.

The Attorney-General also argued that sections of the Human Rights Enforcement Act cited by Akamba are unconstitutional and undermine judicial independence.

Mr Akamba, along with Yusuf Mutambuli of Bunyole and Cissy Namujju of Lwengo, faces corruption charges.

The trio is accused of soliciting a bribe from Mariam Wangadya,  chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC).

Specifically, they are alleged to have demanded 20 percent of the anticipated enhanced budget of UHRC during a meeting at Hotel Africana in Kampala on May 13.