Amuriat, Soroti MPs back in court over protest-related charges

_________________

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat, along with Soroti City MPs Joan Alobo (Woman) and Jonathan Ebwalu (West), appeared in Soroti Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday for the hearing of a case in which they are charged with holding an unlawful assembly, burning tyres, and throwing stones.

The prosecution alleges that Amuriat and his co-accused committed these offences on March 7, 2025, in the middle of Soroti Town during a demonstration over the government's failure to fulfil its promise to compensate Iteso for livestock lost during past insurgencies.

Three other individuals—Sam Acheitum, Sylus Emedu, and Albert Ogalamu—are charged alongside the FDC leaders. The case is being heard by Chief Magistrate Hilda Bakanasa Walaga.

The accused are represented by MPs Moses Okot Bitek and Anna Adeke Ebaju, along with lawyers Edmund Elasu and Gabriel Ogire.

In addition to this case, MP Alobo is facing separate charges before Grade One Magistrate Apollo Kibirige Kasuja. She and twelve others are accused of arson, malicious damage, housebreaking, and inciting violence.

Alobo and the twelve suspects, who are currently on remand at Soroti Prison, were charged after a mob burnt down Jozan Nursery and Primary School, where a Primary One pupil, Joan Faith Apio, was found murdered inside the school toilet.

The twelve suspects on remand are: Joseph Osege, Solomon Obura, Joseph Egimu, Emmanuel Okiror, James Odongo, Stephen Okello, Juma Ogwel, Moses Olipa, Sam Idakun, Joseph Okol, and Mark Obonyo.

State prosecutor, Paul Okello, informed the court at the last hearing that investigations into the matter had been completed.