By Solomon Okabo
KWANIA — Aduku Grade One Magistrate’s Court in Kwania District has further remanded seven supporters of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) accused of participating in violence and assault of the district police Commander during the election of an LC2 chairperson in Apire Parish, Aduku Sub-county.
The suspects were denied bail and remanded to Kwania Government Prison until August 27, 2026, when they will return to court for further proceedings.
The suspects are Patrick Oruru, 22, of Teopok Village; Tom Ebong, 51, of Alongomula; Tony Otim, 22, of Angolenyang; Nelson Waca, 52; Samuel Otoo, 52; Zakayo Ongol, 42; and Apire Parish councillor Dickens Ogwal.
Police arrested the suspects at Kwania Central Police Station between August 10 and 13, following clashes and disorder between supporters of the UPC and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) during the election.
The suspects first appeared before court on August 18 and were remanded for two days after the case was mentioned. They appeared again on August 20 and were further remanded until August 27.
Appearing before Aduku Grade One Magistrate Smith Ogwal, the suspects were charged with seven offences.
The charges include assault occasioning grievous bodily harm against Kwania District Police Commander SP Paul Kadogo; Deputy Resident District Commissioner Abraham Aturu; TC Baraka Emmanuel; TC Ayepa Acigue; Corporal Okori Emmanuel; and TC Wabire Abudu, all police officers attached to Kwania Central Police Station.
They are also accused of damaging the windscreen of a police patrol vehicle, registration number UP 7669.
Prosecution alleges that on August 10, 2026, at Acut Trading Centre in Apire Parish, the accused persons, together with others who are still at large, assaulted the officials as they carried out their duties, leaving them seriously injured.
The prosecution cited Articles 202 and 221(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda in support of the charges.
The suspects denied the allegations and applied for bail.
Dickens Ogwal told the court that he needed bail to continue serving his constituents as a councillor representing Apire Parish at Aduku Sub-county.
“Your Worship, I am a councillor representing Apire Parish at Aduku Sub-county Local Government. Allow me to go home and serve my people of Apire Parish. I also have a disabled child whom I take care of,” he said.
Samuel Otoo also asked for bail, saying he was responsible for caring for several orphans.
However, Magistrate Ogwal rejected the applications and ordered that the suspects remain in custody until August 27.
In his ruling, Magistrate Ogwal said the case was political in nature and that he needed more time to scrutinise the matter before considering the bail applications.
“I am receiving a lot of pressure over this case. I know this case is political in nature, but I can tell you that no one can order me, not even the President,” he said.
“I have heard the bail application. Give me time to work on it without pressure,” he added.
The magistrate also warned residents against attempting to bribe court officials, stressing that the judiciary was independent.
“Some people are selling their cows for Shs100,000 and Shs200,000 in the guise of bribing me. That cannot happen. The court is independent, and the law is very clear: if you break it, it punishes you,” Magistrate Ogwal said.