The Chief Magistrate of Makindye Court, Richard Mafabi is dead.
This was revealed Sunday by Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago.
“Have just received shocking and disheartening news that the Chief Magistrate of Makindye Court, His Worship Richard Mafabi (on phone in the picture) has collapsed and died instantly,” said Lukwago.
The magistrate hit the limelight when I issued summons to the Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura over cops’ alleged brutality meted out against opposition supporters.
The hearing of the case saw Kayihura supporters storm the court, protesting against plans to prosecute the high ranking officer.
The cause of the magistrate’s death remains unclear.
Lukwago said Mafabi will go down in the annals of history as one of the few judicial officers who “held onto the judicial oath to uphold the law without fear or favour at a very challenging moment.”
The Mayor had to be rescued by police from an angry mob during the hearing of the case at Makindye.
“In a country where impunity reigns supreme, it was unforeseeable that he would issue criminal summons and sign a charge sheet against General Kale Kayihura and 8 other senior police officers for acts of torture,” said Lukwago.
The judiciary is expected to issue a statement in relation to today’s incident.