KAMPALA, UGANDA: Political activist and four-time presidential presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye has been remanded to Luzira Prison after declining to pay Shs30 million cash for his bail saying it is so expensive for him to afford.
Besigye was on Wednesday appearing before Buganda Road Grade one Magistrate on charges of inciting violence after he was on Tuesday arrested in Kampala mobilizing Ugandans to wake up and protest against the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities in the country.
After his arrest on Tuesday, Besigye, who is the leader of the People’s Front for Transition (PFT) movement was whisked to Naggalama police station in Mukono District where he spent a night behind bars and was today arraigned before court to answer charges preferred against him.
Prosecution told court presided over by Grade One Magistrate, Siena Owomugisha that Besigye on May 24, 2022, at Arua Park – Munno Village in Kampala City, without any lawful excuse at an assembly addressed members of the public implying that it would be desirable for them to demonstrate, an act which tantamounted to inciting violence contrary to section 51(i) (b) of the Penal Code Act.
When asked about the preferred charges, the former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president pleaded not guilty and instead asked to be released on bail.
Through his lawyers led by Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, Besigye presented two FDC stalwarts as his sureties including former leader of opposition in parliament Mr Wafula Oguttu and the FDC deputy secretary General Mr Harold Kaija.
Lukwago told court that it is not only a constitutional right for Besigye to be released on bail but also being a national leader and four-time presidential candidate, he could not jump bail. “He has been a presidential candidate for four times and his record is undisputed. There is, therefore, no evidence that he is likely to interfere with investigations of jump bail,” Lukwago said.
Besigye, through his lawyer also told court that since police has consistently violated his Constitutional right to earn a living, he should not be given a cash bail.
However, the magistrate in her ruling said she was not convinced with Besigye’s plea before ordering him to pay Shs30 million cash, and bonded each of his sureties at Shs70 million not cash.
Besigye then opted to be remanded as his lawyers appeal against the cash bail condition for his release.
He is expected to return to court on July 16, 2022 for further mention of the case.
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