Pastor Kiwedde appeals jail term

Pastor William Muwanguzi, commonly known as Kiwedde, who was early last year sentenced to three years in prison for attempting to escape from prison, has appealed his sentence.

Kiwedde's lawyers Fred Kamugunda and Joshua Mugarura presented his appeal before Justice Margaret Oguli of Masaka High Court on Wednesday.

Pastor Kiwedde is protesting the sentence handed to him by Kalisizo Grade One Magistrate Susan Awidi for malicious damage of government property and attempt to escape.

It is alleged that Pastor Kiwedde tried to escape from Kalisizo Government Prisons in 2013 by making a hole in the prison wall. The conviction came at a time when the pastor was already serving a 23-month-term in prison for impersonation.

Kiwedde's lawyers claim that their client was not provided an interpreter and didn't understand anything since court proceedings are conducted in English.

According to defence lawyers, the presiding magistrate also delivered her judgment without indicating when their client can appeal.

Mr Kamugunda told court that immediately after the sentence, his client was first detained at Kasese Prison and later transferred to Luzira prison and was only taken to Masaka prison on March 16. This, the lawyers argue, denied their client time to appeal against the sentence.

However, prosecution led by Ms Ann Kiiza, asked court not to consider Kiwedde's application, saying the latter had a clue on when to make the appeal by filing the letter of appeal in the same court that sentenced him.

Prosecution prayed to court to follow judicial rules that state that a convict cannot appeal to a higher court against a sentence after 14 days.

Justice Oguli said she will make a ruling on March 26.