Police took nine people back into custody right after a High Court judge freed them in Arua. The arrests happened as they walked out of the courtroom following their release by Justice Harriet Grace Magala. These individuals had been held on serious charges, including murder, aggravated defilement, and armed robbery.
One person had been waiting for trial since 2021, with others detained between 2022 and 2023. Court sources said the judge had to let them go because prosecutors failed to bring any witnesses during their trial. The court simply had no choice under the law.
West Nile Regional police spokesperson Collins Asea confirmed that officers acted on direct orders from the Director of Public Prosecutions headquarters in Kampala. The names of the nine people have not been made public. Their freedom lasted only minutes before authorities stepped in to return them to custody despite the court ruling.
One person had been waiting for trial since 2021, with others detained between 2022 and 2023. Court sources said the judge had to let them go because prosecutors failed to bring any witnesses during their trial. The court simply had no choice under the law.
West Nile Regional police spokesperson Collins Asea confirmed that officers acted on direct orders from the Director of Public Prosecutions headquarters in Kampala. The names of the nine people have not been made public. Their freedom lasted only minutes before authorities stepped in to return them to custody despite the court ruling.
