MAKINDYE– Relatives and friends of 29 people who are accused of disobeying NEMA directives on vacating Lubigi wetland , on Monday turned up in large numbers at Standards and Utilities court ready to secure bail for their people who have been on remand for some days.
The court which was filled beyond capacity commenced at around 9.30 am with majority of the court attendants being sureties with copies of National Identity cards and LC.1 recommendation letters.
At the beginning of court, the trial Magistrate Siena Owomugisha expressed readiness to proceed with this public interest case, only to be disappointed by her laptop which failed to display the case file (in digital form) thus prompting her to stand over the matter.
Upon commencement of the case , the state prosecutor was no where to be seen because he had walked out , thereby leading to a second stand over in a period less than an hour.
Upon his return to court, Isaac Asasira, the state prosecution, informed court that “We are in negotiations with the accused persons to have the matter settled outside court.”
He also presented one witness in court to prove their readiness to have the matter fast tracked and disposed off.
“As submitted by my senior colleague, we are still in negotiations to have the matter settled outside court, I pray that we are allowed to make bail application for the accused persons as we prepare for the hearing.” Responded Ssentubwe Yasin one of the defence lawyers.
The Magistrate allowed counsel’s prayer to apply for bail, but things didn’t go on as expected after court realizing that the defence had physical documents to support the bail application instead of having them filed electronically.
“There is no way we can proceed without support documents. It’s well known by all advocates that we no longer allow physical documents, I will stand over the matter for twenty minutes to brief counsels from both side on how to proceed.”
This increased pressure among the relatives and friends who seemed frustrated, however the Magistrate assured them that she was ready to entertain their case after addressing all the concerns she raised.
Court later on , resumed for bail application.
The twenty nine who are part of the group of people which was evicted from Lubigi wetland this year, are charged with offences like of erecting , constructing , placing, altering, extending, removing or demolishing any structure fixed in wetland contrary to section 55(1)(b) of the NEMA Act cap 181, failure to comply with orders, Notices and environment easements contrary to the NEMA Act.
Prosecution contends that the accused persons with others still at large from the month of July 2024 at Nansana West zone A, Nabweru Parish, Nansana Municipality , Wakiso District erected temporary structures using tents and tauplin into a restored Lubigi wetland section without written approval from relevant lead agency in given in consultation with the Authority.
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