Key Suspect in Nagirinya Murder Case Requests Release Due to Alleged Torture and Rights Violations by Security.

The main suspect in the murder case of social worker Maria Nagirinya and her driver Ronald Kitayimbwa, Copriyam Kasolo (also known as Arsenal), has requested to be released by the court due to alleged torture and violation of his rights by security personnel after his arrest. Kasolo argued in court on Wednesday that he should not be put on trial since his rights were not only violated but he was also detained for more than the mandatory 48 hours.

Kasolo argued in court that since his rights were violated by the very people who were supposed to protect them, it would be appropriate for the court to release him. He emphasized that it would be just and fair for him to be set free in light of the violations he suffered.

“It was done illegally and therefore I say it is unfair to continue defending myself in this trial under such circumstances.”

Kasolo informed the court that according to Article 23(4)(b) of the Constitution, anyone who is arrested for committing a crime must be brought before a court of law within 48 hours. He further stated that he was arrested on September 8th, 2019, but was not presented to the court until September 23rd, 2019, which meant that he had been unlawfully detained for 13 days. Therefore, he argued that his right to personal freedom had been violated due to being detained for longer than the permitted 48 hours.

However during the hearing, the presiding judge advised Kasolo to focus on presenting a defense and discrediting the prosecution's evidence against him. The judge emphasized that Kasolo needed to rebut the evidence, rather than simply asserting that his rights had been violated. “It is as if you are defending yourself. You are supposed to rebut the evidence presented against you by the prosecution,” Justice Isaac Muwata advised Kasolo.

Despite the judge's advice, Kasolo maintained that his rights had been violated, citing physical injuries he had sustained during torture by security personnel following his arrest.

Kasolo argued that his injuries, which included swelling, wounds on the mouth and eyes, were evidence of the violation of his rights and should be considered by the court in determining his case.