Eleven NRM politicians remanded over State House trespass

What the report says

Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded 11 people to Luzira Prison until September 23 after they were charged with criminal trespass linked to an incident at State House, Nakasero in Kampala. The accused appeared before Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa and denied the charge, which was brought under section 282(b) of the Penal Code Act.

The group includes Stephen Okello, Iddi Kigozi, Joan Muhaise, Robert Bayiga Tumuramye, Fatiah Nakamya, Onesmas Tumutegereza, Yasin Owomugisha, Esther Twikirize, Cledonia Musiimenta, Caroline Arituha and Seth Muyambi. The Observer reported that most are associated with the ruling National Resistance Movement, and several have previously contested elections.

According to the prosecution, the suspects and others still at large were said to have lawfully entered State House but then remained there with the intent to intimidate or annoy soldiers of the Special Forces Command on duty. State Attorney Ayub Kamba said investigations had been completed. Court records cited in the report indicate the case followed a petition the group had delivered to State House a day earlier seeking to have it forwarded to President Yoweri Museveni. After saying they would be contacted, the group returned the next day to follow up and were arrested. The magistrate did not hear a bail request at this stage, and the matter will return to court for further proceedings.