Soroti, Uganda – Lawyer Okot Bitek Jr Moses has condemned the Soroti Chief Magistrate’s Court for what he described as deliberate tactics to frustrate the bail process for FDC Party President Hon. Patrick Amuriat Oboi and two Members of Parliament who were remanded to Soroti Government Prison.
Speaking to the press outside the courtroom at around 7:30 PM, Bitek accused the prosecution of overwhelming the defense by presenting over 20 charges across four separate case files-a move he believes was aimed at blocking the bail application.
He further criticized the late timing of the court session, which began unusually around 5 PM, giving the defense team limited time to respond effectively.
According to Bitek, the charges against the accused could have been consolidated into one case, but the prosecution deliberately fragmented them to exhaust the defense’s resources and prolong the detention of the FDC leaders.
Despite these challenges, he vowed to push forward with the bail process, emphasizing that securing the release of his clients remains the immediate priority before preparing for a full trial.
The Soroti Chief Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Her Worship Hilda Bakanansa Walaga, denied bail on the grounds that the defense had not submitted the required documents for the sureties in advance.
The magistrate adjourned the hearing to March 12, 2025, giving the defense a limited window to finalize and present the necessary paperwork.
Amuriat, along with Hon. Joan Alobo Acom (Woman MP, Soroti City), Hon. Jonathan Ebwalu (MP, Soroti West) and three FDC activists, are facing charges related to their involvement in the controversial “No Cow, No Vote” protest held on March 7, 2025 in Soroti City.
The charges, drawn from the Road Act 2019, the Penal Code, and other legal statutes, include burning public roads, damaging road infrastructure, unlawful assembly and assaulting a police officer on duty.
The prosecution, led by State Attorney Paul Okello, alleges that the group burned motorcycle tires and threw stones in the streets to disrupt public order and obstruct traffic.
Some of the charges also stem from a previous demonstration on January 8, 2024, which has now been revived and added to the legal proceedings.
The remanding of these senior opposition figures has intensified political tension across the Teso sub-region, where the “No Cow, No Vote” campaign continues to grow.
The movement demands full compensation for cattle lost during the Teso insurgencies of the 1980s and 1990s, a matter that has become a flashpoint between the opposition and the ruling NRM government.
In response to the mounting pressure, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao recently acknowledged the inadequacy of the funds disbursed for compensation, pledging to advocate for Shs 150 billion in the next financial year to address the longstanding grievances.
The legal battle is far from over, with the next hearing scheduled for March 12, 2025, when the court will decide whether to release the FDC leaders on bail or keep them in custody.
This decision carries significant weight as the “No Cow, No Vote” movement continues to gain momentum across the Teso sub-region, amplifying public pressure on the government to deliver long-overdue compensation for cattle lost during past insurgencies.
