Leading city human rights lawyer Nicholas Opio says, if approached, he wouldn’t decline legally representing ex-IGP Gen Kale Kayihura as his defense lawyer. Having been arrested two days ago, Gen Kayihura, according to defense ministry publicist Richard Karamire, continues to be interrogated by the military. And it’s widely expected that Kayihura, who has been under investigation for some time now, will eventually be arraigned in the court martial for his criminal trial to formally start. In that case he will need a strong legal team whose members, Karemire says, are the only people currently allowed to access him as well as close family members. In an interview with this news website, Nicholas Opio, who has always been very critical of Gen Kayihura’s police brutality and human rights violations, said he would accept being the General’s defense attorney. We specifically asked him what he could do if Kayihura was to send him emissaries seeking his legal services out of his current predicament. Would he accept? “In principle yes I would gladly do so but I’m constrained by the fact that I have previously registered my formal complaint against Gen Kayihura. We were almost killed by his people at the Makindye Court as lawyers when we wanted to prosecute him for torture and human rights violations. That is the only reason for which I’m constrained; I’m a complainant and I can’t be the defense lawyer for someone against whom I have a complaint,” Opio answered. He insisted however that notwithstanding his bad track record of brutalizing citizens, Gen Kayihura should be accorded his full rights to a fair trial and shouldn’t be condemned unheard. Opio emphasized that at this point in time, Kayihura remains just a suspect and shouldn’t be condemned unheard. He said it’s his right and Kayihura is entitled to the very best legal representation by lawyers of his choice and if he is found guilty, he should be convicted and sentenced in a manner that the relevant laws appropriately prescribe. If he can prove his innocence, Opio insisted, Kayihura should be acquitted. In broad terms, the award-winning young lawyer said Kayihura’s predicament should be a lesson to those still lucky to hold power never to use it arbitrarily or abusively because for every one of them, there will always be a day to account for their actions and omissions while occupying that office. Opio recalled how Kayihura, not very long ago, appeared before a Parliamentary committee and passionately argued against the 48 hour rule that requires speedy trial whereby suspects must be formally charged in court within 48 hours. He sarcastically wondered if Gen Kayihura still holds that same view. For comments, call/text/whatsapp us on 0703164755.
