70. In light of the above, this Court holds that the Respondent State violated the
Applicant’s right to dignity and not be subjected to cruel, inhuman and
degrading treatment protected under Article 5 of the Charter regarding the
beating of the Applicant by the police authorities and the failure of the
Justice of Peace to order investigations into the alleged abuse and police
brutalisation .
C. Alleged violation of the right to a fair trial
71. Under the alleged violation of the right to fair trial, the Applicant makes the
following claims:
i.
The violation of the right to effective legal representation as provided
under Article 7(1)(c) of the Charter;
ii.
The violation of the right to be tried within a reasonable time by an
impartial court or tribunal, as guaranteed under Article 7(1)(d) of the
Charter; and
iii. The failure of the court assessors to examine the witnesses as
guaranteed under Article 7(1)(a) of the Charter.
72. The Court will proceed to examine these claims respectively.
i.
On the alleged failure to provide the Applicant with effective legal
representation
73. The Applicant alleges that the Respondent State did not provide him with a
defence counsel of his choice. Furthermore, that it was inappropriate and
unethical for the Respondent State to appoint counsel Kabuguzi who
represented the prosecution during the preliminary hearing against him to
also represent him during his trial at the Court of Appeal.
74. The Applicant avers that by abandoning two of his grounds for appeal, his
Advocate caused a miscarriage of justice leading to a violation of his right
to a fair trial.
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