Uganda disowns cocaine ‘diplomat’

By Nancy Akinyi

Uganda High Commission has disowned the suspected owner of cocaine worth Sh84 million nabbed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The commission says it does not recognise Mr John Mugisha as one of its diplomats.

The court heard that Mugisha forged a document showing he is a diplomatic agent sent from Uganda’s Foreign Affairs ministry.

Mugisha had since last week declined to plead to the charges of trafficking in the cocaine, arguing he was a diplomat.

He argued because of his supposed diplomatic role, he had immunity against any criminal trial in Kenya in accordance with the Vienna Convention (this is an international treaty that defines a framework for diplomatic relations between independent countries. It forms the legal basis for diplomatic immunity).

In the absence of evidence proving his diplomatic role as alleged, Mugisha finally took a plea in the case.

He was arrested at JKIA transit area on allegation that the keys to the sealed boxes containing the nabbed cocaine were addressed to him.

He denied the charge before Kibera Senior Principal Magistrate Grace Nzioka, but will be remanded in the meantime to await the outcome of his bond application.

Opposed bond

His case will be consolidated with another in which a Ugandan woman, Anne Birungi Bisaso, has denied trafficking in the said cocaine valued at Sh84,964,000.

The prosecution has opposed Ms Bisaso’s release on bond on grounds she was facing a serious charge that attracts a fine of more than Sh254 million plus a life imprisonment and owing to the gravity of the penalty, the accused person might be tempted to escape.

An affidavit sworn by a deputy officer at the anti-narcotic unit, Ms Mary Jepkorir, stated that from day one of her arrest, Bisaso has been cunning regarding her true identity and if released on bond would abscond.

The offence the duo is facing was allegedly committed on June 5. They are alleged to have trafficked by conveyance 21.24kg of cocaine.

Police records indicate that at the time of arrest Bisaso posed as a United Nations Development Programme and Uganda’s Foreign Affairs ministry official.