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African Regional News Updates |
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1 May 2009 Kampala — THE State yesterday refused
to disclose how many witnesses it intends to bring to
testify against two Red Pepper editors in connection
with stories insinuating that the Libyan leader, Col.
Muamar Gadaffi, has a love affair with Toro Queen
Mother Best Kemigisa.
The editors, Francis Mutazindwa and Richard Tusiime,
are facing charges of defaming Gadaffi.
"We object to disclosure of witnesses. This is a
sensitive matter that affects relations between the
states. As for the exhibits, we are going to rely on
the newspapers they published," Nsenga told the
Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate.
Max Mutabingwa, the lawyer representing the two
editors, had earlier asked the court that the State
discloses its witnesses.
Mutabingwa argued that the complainants, Gadaffi
and Kemigisa, had not made any appearance in court
since the case started four months ago.
"Nobody here knows what is in the minds of the
complainants. The ambassador who has been appearing
here is a joker. The complainants might come here and
say they are in love," Mutabingwa told the court.
Nsenga said the prosecution had almost completed
its investigations and asked the court to fix a date
for hearing the case.
Prosecution alleges that Tusiime and Mutazindwa
published a story titled, "Gadaffi, Toro Queen in
love", on February 5.
The accused, the prosecution added, committed
similar offences on different dates when they
published stories titled, "Toro Queen Sex Secrets
Revealed, "Gadaffi Asks Toro Queen for a Baby Boy", "Gadaffi,
Toro Queen First Kiss, "Gadaffi, Museveni Clash Over
Toro Queen" and "Gadaffi Buys Toro Queen a Plane".
Prosecution argues that the stories were untruthful
and degrading and that they exposed the Libyan leader
to contempt.
Mutazindwa and Tusiime face up to two years
imprisonment if found guilty with no option for a
fine. |
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