The hearing of a bail application by 13 of the 23 suspects facing terrorism-related charges alongside former Butambala County Member of Parliament Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi began on Monday before the International Crimes Division of the High Court, with presiding judge Susan Okalanyi sharply criticizing defence lawyers over what she described as disorganized and defective court filings.
The suspects are jointly charged in connection with incidents allegedly linked to events that followed the January presidential elections.
Court proceedings opened with the introduction of one of the applicants, Nicolas Walakira, listed as accused number 11, who was presented to court by Robert Walakira, the chairperson of Ssenge Village in Wakiso District, confirming him as a resident of the area.
However, tension rose early in the session as the court reviewed supporting documents submitted by the defence team.
Justice Okalanyi expressed dissatisfaction with the paperwork, questioning why several documents were undated, improperly addressed, or outdated.
“Here are the documents that are presented to this court. Are these the correct documents, properly dated and properly addressed?” she asked.
The judge said she had previously directed defence lawyers to organize a proper trial bundle containing updated and correctly prepared documents but noted that her guidance had not been followed.
“When I said go and organize a trial bundle with recent documents and properly addressed papers, I was actually doing the work of the advocate for the applicants,” she said. “But you come in the morning and the first thing I see is a document that is undated.”
Justice Okalanyi further emphasized that all lawyers on record bore collective responsibility for the quality of submissions before court.
“As far as I know, you are all joint representatives. You are not going to tell me, ‘I am okay, it is the other lawyer.’ You are all responsible,” she said.
The judge also rejected a letter allegedly issued by the Local Council leadership of Ssenge Village, ruling that it was inadmissible due to the absence of a date.
“The item said to be an LC letter from Ssenge Village is undated and cannot be received by court,” she ruled.
The hearing continues as the High Court considers bail applications for the 13 accused persons, who are seeking temporary release pending trial before the International Crimes Division.
The matter remains ongoing.