Abdallah Kiwanuka a Lawyer in Kampala Charged with Spreading COVID 19

BY:Hassan Bulesa

A city lawyer Abdallah Kiwanuka aged 41, of Kiwanuka, Anyango & Tamale advocates and resident of Buntaba village found in Kyampise Sub county, Mukono district has Thursady, April 23, been charged with an count of spreading COVID 19 virus during the global pandermic at Mukono Chief Magistrates’ court.
According to the State Attorny Agnes Kiconco, Kiwanuka was arrested on Tuesday, April 21 at Lutengo village in Nama sub county Mukono district distributing food to the residents which is against the president’s directives of trying to control COVID 19 virus.
“It is alleged that Kiwanuka and others still at large were arrested on April 21, in Lutengo village Nama Sub county, Mukono district for spreading infectious disease covid 19 which has put the country on tension.” She says
The accused ‘s lawyer Chrysotom  Katumba requested for bail for his client and presented sureties in the case Muhammad Matovu 40, Obed Sserugera 40 and Mayima Kasasa 34 who are to ensure that the accused appears in court 
He also requested that the accused’s car Suzu box body Reg no. UAK 825Z he was driving during his arrest be released for it contains some perishable foods.
The State attorney Agnes Kiconco objected on grounds that the accused may not be granted bail because he is an influential figure in society hence influence the witnesses.
He says: “Due to the nature of the case according to section 77 of the Magistrate’s court’s act paragraphs a & d the nature of the accusation is serious. The accused should not be granted bail since he was found distributing food to the public during this time of the covid 19 pandemic. The disease has put the country on tension.”
Among the preventive measures by the president was social distancing and in instances a person wants to distribute food he should take it follow the right distribution channels. 
“Being an influential person he will interfere with the witnesses. However, if granted bail he should be put in strict conditions and if he defies them let the bail be cancelled.” Kiconco says 
However, the Mukono Chief Magistrate Juliet Hatanga ruled that the accused be granted bail of 1 million cash.
 “After listening to both the state and the accused’s lawyer am not accused that the accused will interfere with witnesses I grant the accused bail of 1 million on cash and is to stay at home until May  6,However in instances when he defies the court order he will be remanded til May 14, 2020. His car is to stay at police.”she rules 
Kiwanuka who is not satisfied with the court’s ruling says that he has no case because he has never collected people to distribute food to them.
“I have been tested for covid 19 and am negative. This therefore shows that the charges against me of spreading the virus are not approprecte.” Says Kiwanuka