The commissioner general of Uganda prisons Dr. Johnson Byabashaija has been ordered to appear in Jinja Magistrates Court on March 6 to explain why he constantly defied court directives.
The summons were issued by Jinja Chief Magistrate Francis Kaggwa.
Following a complaint from lawyers representing the Rwenzururu royal guards, the court ordered that 5 people including the Kingdom Prime Minister Johnson Thembo Kitsumbire be transferred from Kirinya to Luzira Prison where they could get proper medical attention.
However on Monday, their lawyers led by Caleb Alaka, Evans Ochieng and Samuel Muyizzi told court that prisons authorities had refused to heed to the court orders.
“It is unfortunate that the prisons authorities who are supposed to respect court orders are now violating them,” argued Alaka.
“We all thought it would be in the interest of court, and everyone to try a man who is alive.”
The defense lawyers argued that the court ought to take a stand on the continued violation of it orders by people who are supposed to enforce them.
“We pray that the Commissioner General himself comes here to explain,” added lawyer Muyizzi.
The magistrate concurred with defense counsels.
The Jinja Chief Magistrate in agreement with the defense lawyers said it was wrong for prisons to defy court orders.
“The Prisons Commissioner General is hereby summoned to show cause why on disobeying court orders,” Kaggwa ordered.
