The bail application of the Kyadondo East Legislator, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine is underway through video conferencing facilities, making him the first suspect to be tried using this technology.
Dozens of people who thronged the courtroom this morning were left in awe after seeing judicial officers setting up the system, which was officially inaugurated last month.
Prison Officers in the male wing of Luzira Prisons could be seen on the huge screens at Buganda Road court arranging plastic seats for the hearing.
While launching the video conferencing facilities last month, the Chief Justice, Bart Katureebe said it would be used for the mention of high profile cases.
The Commissioner General Uganda Prison Services, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija said the facility would help them cut the costs of bringing suspects to Court for the mention of their cases.
The Judiciary Spokesperson, Solomon Muyita has confirmed that Kyagulanyi will not appear in court physically.
“It’s true we are going to use Screens,” Muyita told reporters at the Buganda Road Court.
His lawyers led by Asuman Basalirwa who are already at court and relatives have questioned the decision of the judiciary to try Kyagulanyi using this technology.
Kyagulanyi was arrested from Mulago roundabout on April 29th, 2019 as he was heading to the CID headquarters in Kibuli to record a statement.
By press time, the bail application hearing was still ongoing.
He was whisked off to Nagalama Police Station where he recorded a statement before he was dragged to Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate’s Court and charged with disobedience of statutory duty.
The charges date back to 2018 when the legislator and four others led a protest against the introduction of Over the Top (OTT) tax for social media users.
Kyagulanyi pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded to Luzira Prison until today for his bail application hearing.