By Denis Turyahebwa
Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu has further remanded Makerere University research fellow Dr. Stella Nyanzi until December 10th.
Nyanzi was arrested and remanded to Luzira on account of posting abusive statements on September 16, 2018 which she dedicated to President Museveni as a birthday poem. The prosecution alleges that Nyanzi used her Facebook page to post a poem full of vulgar language where she attacked Museveni’s late mother, Esteri Kokundeka.
However, Nyanzi who was charged early this month has since denied the charges. In the previous court session, Nyanzi told court she instead used the poem and metaphors to protest against the oppression resulting from what she called bad leadership of the National Resistance Movement government headed by Museveni.
On Thursday the state prosecutor, Janet Kitimbo told court that inquiries into the matter are complete and a date should be fixed for hearing. Nyanzi’s lawyer Isaac Semakadde from Center for Legal Aid had no objections. Unlike other sessions, Nyanzi didn’t say anything in court. She appeared calm and didn’t seek to apply for bail just as she’d done in the previous session.
Outside court, Semakadde said that they are ready to cross-examine witness number one who should be President Museveni since he is the one alleged to having been offended by Nyanzi’s writings on Facebook.
“So we now have an indication that on the 10th of December at about 9am, the prosecution will present their first witness. A witness, who, in all fairness in law and logic must be Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. So our job is done here for today. We’re going to prepare to cross-examine the president on all matters concerning the vagina,” said Semakadde.
Meanwhile, opposition party, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to which Nyanzi subscribes to has joined the operation ‘Sukuma’ to raise funds to help Nyanzi’s family and also pay for her legal fees. FDC leaders including Harold Kaija and Habib Buwembo the secretary for labour said that they will continue fighting for the rights of Nyanzi.
