After spending almost a month in detention, satirical Novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was finally released on Wednesday after being whisked away in an unknown vehicle from Kitalya prison on his initial grant of bail.
Kakwenza, through his lawyer Eron Kiiza, had applied for bail to seek medical attention which was granted by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Douglas Singiza. However, the Judge issued an order barring Kakwenza and his lawyers from talking to the press as that would automatically lead to his immediate re-detention.
“I think that this is unfair. Someone has to be allowed to talk about their situation. I feel that that Judge has really denied us the opportunity to seek accountability from the state and security agencies. We celebrated Liberation day but how are we supposed to feel liberated when someone’s locations of detention were unexplained twice and yet the Judge says no one can talk about it!” Fatboy ranted.
Olive Najjuma, his co-host, also questioned why there wasn't anyone explaining the wounds and torture marks inflicted on Kakawenza during his time in detention.
Fatboy reasoned that the judge’s instructions are being used by the state and security agencies as a way to steer clear from commenting on the issue.
“I think the government is not ready to give us an explanation as to what happened at all. They might even have no case because when the judge was releasing Kakwenza, he said that the circumstances of the case didn't necessitate an expensive bail fee. That is why he set it at shs.500,000 only yet they are usually at shs.3,000,000 million and above. It wasn't a serious offence anyway, he didn't kill anyone. He might just have hurt other people's feelings,” argued Fatboy.
Olive likewise said that hurting other people's feelings is not a crime either. “We hurt each other every single day. And if you're hurt, let's say if I tell you that James you have become so thin and then you get hurt, it’s because you know you have become so thin.” (both laugh)
“Ok, what are you trying to say now, are you trying to hurt me?'' he jokingly asked.
“Nothing, I am just speaking in tongues, '' she replied as both dissolved in laughter.
The Fatboy show is hosted by James Onen aka Fatboy, Olive, Sarah and Lesham every weekday from 6am to 10am on RX Radio.
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