The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided to take over the criminal proceedings instituted against Pastor Aloysius Bugingo and his female friend Makula Susan Nantaba.
City Lawyers Male Mabirizi and Robert Rutaro dragged the two to court accusing Makula and Bugingo of contracting a traditional marriage while he is still legally married to Teddy Naluswa.
This development shows that the Director of Public Prosecutions ‘DPP’ has made a U turn because in last December, DPP through senior state attorney of Entebbe Ramlah Damba informed court how her office was not interested in prosecuting Pastor Aloysius Bugingo over his new marriage to Susan Makula Nantaba.
Bugingo who is the House of Prayer Ministries lead pastor allegedly married Makula under customary law on December 7 in Kawuku, Katabi town council in Wakiso district.
Ramlah Damba, the Senior State Attorney made the statement after Entebbe Magistrate Grade One Stella Okwong Paculal asked whether or not the state wants to take over the case from private prosecutors Male Mabirizi and Robert Rutaro Muhairwe.
Article 120 of the 1995 Uganda Constitution provides powers to the DPP to take over proceedings initiated by individuals or other authorities at any stage.
However, Damba said the private prosecutors can proceed to make their case because Janat Kitimbo, the Chief State Attorney for Entebbe says the DPP is not taking over both cases.
Thereafter, Magistrate Okwong charged Pastor Aloysius Bugingo on two counts, and Suzan Makula Nantaba on one count for allegedly getting married contrary to sections of the Marriage Act, 1904 and Penal Code Act,1950
In a letter to the Chief Magistrate of the Entebbe Magistrates Court, Janet Kitimbo the Resident Chief State Attorney asked the complainant to avail them with reasonable information and furnish them with all the documents in relation to this case.
They are to appear before the court on January 21 over the case.