Mabirizi wants Mao to be jailed 7 years for being 'common nuisance'

Mabirizi takes exception to Clause 42 of the said Memorandum signed at State House Entebbe between Museveni, the Chairperson of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, and Mao, as President General of the Democratic Party (DP).

At the signing on July 22nd, 2022, which was witnessed by the Secretaries General of Democratic Party Gerald Siranda and NRM’s Richard Todwong, the two parties agreed to a power sharing deal circumscribed by constitutionalism and the respect for human rights.

The two parties also agreed on synergy on the agenda of governance and supporting parliamentary votes on matters pertaining to both parties for the full term of the 11th parliament.

Mabirizi takes aim

In his application filed before the Entebbe Chief Magistrates Court, Mabirizi, acting as a Private Prosecutor, has preferred four charges including common nuisance, disobedience of statutory duty and conspiracy to defraud against Mao as the DP boss and Secretary General Gerald Siranda.

He further alleges that Mao and Siranda, between July 20th and 27th 2022, well aware that their respective five-year terms expired in 2020, signed a document titled ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ was an act not authorised by law thereby causing annoyance or inconvenience to the public.

He also accuses Mao and Siranda of having refused to vacate their respective offices and going ahead to sign the Memorandum of Understanding, something he deems an act or omission forbidden by written law.

Mabirizi further accuses Mao in particular of having taken oath as Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister while at the same time being President Democratic Party, an Opposition political party, which was not authorised by law and so caused annoyance or inconvenience to the public.

According to Mabirizi’s charges, Mao and Siranda conspired to defraud when they signed the document in exchange for positions of Minister for Justice and Member of East African Assembly-EALA respectively.

Mabirizi now wants the Entebbe Chief Magistrates Court to summon the two accused persons, Mao and Siranda, to take plea and be sent to jail for said offenses.

The Entebbe Chief Magistrates Court is yet to summon Mao and Siranda to take plea on the charges that could land them both seven years in jail upon conviction.