High Court Judge Lawrence Gidudu has directed defense attorneys to thoroughly review CCTV footage and audio recordings with their clients, three legislators accused of soliciting a 20% kickback from the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) boss, before proceeding with cross-examination.
Justice Gidudu granted an adjournment, scheduling the next hearing for August 14, and cautioned, “I have only three months to conclude this case. If we find the time insufficient, we may sit on some Saturdays, so you better prepare yourselves.”
The prosecution had completed its examination-in-chief of UHRC boss Mariam Wangadya, and the court rejected the state’s request to play an audio recording allegedly made during her meeting with the accused legislators.
Defense lawyers objected to playing the recording, citing a previous ruling that required a forensic expert or investigator to testify about its authenticity. Justice Gidudu concurred, stating that the recording’s integrity had not been established.
“If the prosecution leads evidence establishing the authenticity and reliability of the electronic information, such evidence, if in sound format, can be played for the presenter to confirm to court if that is the data he or she mined, transferred, or stored,” Justice Gidudu ruled.
The accused legislators are Paul Akamba, Yusuf Mutembuli, and Cissy Namujju Dionizza, who allegedly sought a kickback to enhance the UHRC’s budget.
