A man who allegedly injured security operatives during Omusinga’s coronation anniversary further remanded

BY ZALIMON BASIGHALHA (GOOD LUCK)

Mr. Kathundu Maate, a resident of Bunyangabu district who is alleged to have injured a section of security operatives who were manning the Buhikira Royal Hill in Kasese town on October 19, 2023 has further been remanded to Mubuku Government Prison.

It is reported that the suspect who is battling a charge of attempted murder fought with the security operatives as they were trying to direct the people to leave the Royal Hill where the Rwenzururu King, Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma was set to perform his rituals before heading to Kilembe Mines Golf Course for his 57^th Coronation Anniversary.

During a court sitting yesterday at Rukooki, the SP Wilfred Bagenda, the Kasese Divisional Police Commander who is one of the witnesses in the case said as security operatives, they had been called by the administration of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu to man security at the Buhikira Royal Hill and Kilembe Mines Golf Course.

According to him, Maate engaged them in a scuffle when they observed that the number of people who were supposed to be at the Royal Hill had exceed 200 and directed others to go to the Golf Course and wait for the King after performing his rituals.

SP Bagenda told court that when they were executing their official duties, Mr. Maate resisted to leave the Royal Hill and instead decided to pick stones and started pelting them on the security officials leaving him and the District Internal Security Officer (DISO) injured. Subsequently, the suspect, who was pinpointed by other Kingdom’s subjects, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and later taken to court for prosecution.

Her Worship Betty Ajok, the Kasese Chief Magistrate who presided over the court session declined to give bail to Mr. Maate who through his Defense Lawyer, Luke Kanyonyi from Kanyonyi and Co. Advocates had applied for it.  

She argued that she could not grant bail to the accused person because he presented one surety who was not substantial and sent him back to Mubuku Government Prison until May 08, 2024 when he will return to court for a ruling on his bail application.

Speaking to the press shortly after the court session, Counsel Luke Kanyonyi, the Defense Lawyer said he was hopeful that Mr. Kathundu Maate would regain his freedom when he returns to court on May 08, 2024.

ENDS