By Peter Ssebulime
Kampala: The second witness in the case in which Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Secretary for Mobilization Ingrid Turinawe is accused of allegedly assaulting a Magistrate and becoming a common nuisance, testified on Tuesday, but left court wondering about his testimony.
Before Grade One Magistrate Stella Amabilis at Buganda Road Court, detective Sergeant Patrick Alunyu, a Station Detective Major at Central Police Station, said Turinawe assaulted him directly by pouring on him water, which affected his eyes, blurring his sight, causing him physical and psychological torture.
However, when he was asked by the defense lawyer Erias Lukwago whether he went to the hospital directly after the assault, he said he didn’t go immediately because he had other things to do, and that he had to record a statement.
But Alunyu left court wondering how a person who was affected in such a way couldn’t run straight to hospital but rather first record a statement and later visit the clinic late in the evening.
He further testified that on reaching the clinic the nurse told him his eyes were fine without even availing him with a report of the examination.
Alunyu is the second witness in this case after Ivan Nduhura testified the last time court proceeded.
It is alleged by prosecution that on August 4, 2019, at Central Police Station (CPS) Kampala in the Central Division, Turinawe committed an act that caused annoyance or inconvenienced the public leading to the conclusion that she was a common nuisance.
After the hearing of the Second Witness’ testimony, Court went into later recess, as the magistrate and the counsels went to visit the scene of crime.
Later the magistrate will decide the next step which will be communicated accordingly.
Turinawe is charged together with others who include; Simon Wanyera, Abdullah Waiswa, Augustine Ojobile, Joel Kabali, Fatuma Abenabyo, and Moses Katumba were charged with inciting violence, contempt of court, malicious damage to property and common assault.
They were arrested on August 2, and accused of having attacked Grade One Magistrate, Gladys Kamasanyu after she sentenced Dr. Stella Nyanzi to nine months in jail over cyber harassment.
