The hearing of an assault case involving Acholi musician Lucky “Bosmic” Joyce Otim has been adjourned to August 13, 2026, after the prosecution failed to disclose evidence to the defence, preventing the trial from proceeding.
Kitgum Chief Magistrate Robert Ekirita adjourned the case on Tuesday after the defence informed the court that it had not received the prosecution’s witness statements and other evidence, despite repeated requests. Under Uganda’s criminal procedure, the prosecution is required to disclose its evidence to enable an accused person to adequately prepare a defence and ensure a fair trial.
Bosmic’s lawyer, Robert Okot, told the court that the defence had made several requests and reminders to both the police and the state prosecutor without success.
Defence lawyer Robert Okot argued that proceeding with the hearing without disclosure would prejudice Bosmic’s right to a fair trial, as the accused had not been given adequate opportunity to prepare his defence. He asked the court to adjourn the matter and direct the prosecution to comply with its disclosure obligations within a specified timeframe before the case could proceed.
State prosecutor Yusuf Ssali acknowledged that the prosecution had failed to meet its disclosure obligations, explaining that the case file had remained with the police longer than expected. He said efforts to reach the investigating officer had been unsuccessful because the officer was unavailable, but assured the court that the prosecution would furnish the defence with the required disclosure before the next hearing.
The prosecution had been expected to begin presenting its witnesses during Tuesday’s hearing. However, the proceedings could not continue after it emerged that the defence had not been served with the necessary prosecution documents.
Chief Magistrate Ekirita directed the prosecution to provide the defence with all the required disclosure before the next hearing and adjourned the case to 9:00 a.m. on August 13, 2026.
Bosmic is charged with causing grievous harm to fellow musician and blogger Okello Alfred Joe, popularly known as KD Kristo Hammer. Prosecutors allege that on May 3, 2026, at Corner Mission in Pager Division, Kitgum Municipality, Bosmic assaulted the complainant, causing serious injuries.
The musician is currently out on a cash bail of 2 million Shillings. His bail conditions prohibit him from interfering with prosecution witnesses or making public statements that could prejudice the ongoing trial.
The case has drawn considerable public interest because of Bosmic’s prominence as one of the Acholi sub-region’s best-known musicians and his involvement in politics-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
