A Ugandan man has been sent to prison on remand for destroying a portrait of President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni, the country’s longest serving leader. A court in the capital Kampala read charges of malicious damage to property to the young man. He pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.
Robert Mugabi, commercial motorcycle or boda boda rider, appeared before Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court following his arrest. Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate, Siena Owomugisha remanded Mugabi, who is 30 years of age and is a resident of Nankuwadde in Wakiso District’s Bulenga area, to Luzira Prison until November 30 when he will return for trial.
State prosecution, which was led by State Attorney Lydia Nakato, told court that on November 03, 2022, while at the UBC Building in the capital Kampala’s Central Division, Mugabi willingly and unlawfully damaged an A2 framed portrait photo of General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda.
The destroyed portrait photo belonged to Moses Daki, a dealer in photography and photo frames. State prosecution valued the photo that Mugabi reportedly destroyed at Shs300,000.
State prosecution confirmed to court presided over by Owomugisha that all the necessary investigations have been concluded and that there is enough evidence to pin Mugabi for his actions. The state asked court to set a date for the beginning of trial so that the case can be disposed of in time.
The magistrate set November 30 as the date when trial in this case will begin. If found guilty of the charges, Mugabi might be jailed for about five years, according to provisions of the Penal Code Act which says criminalizes any willful and unlawful destruction or damaging of property.
This came came up weeks after another young Ugandan was sent to prison for disturbing the peace of Speaker Anita Among on Twitter. Other youths were also detained in prison for celebrating the death of former security minister Gen Elly Tumwine. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
