KAMPALA, UGANDA: Former presidential Candidates Dr. Kizza Besigye and Samuel Lubega Mukaaku have finally been granted bail, a day after the high court dismissed their application for the same.
The two were released today after appearing before Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate court presided over by the acting High Court judge Douglas Singiza.
Dr. Singiza bonded each of the accused Shs 2.5 million in cash, while the sureties each on Shs 500,000 non-cash. Cout also barred Basigye and Mukaaku from making any public comments about the case until its hearing is complete.
Besigye and Mukaku were arrested on 14 June 2022 following their protests over the skyrocketing prices of commodities in the country. They were detained at Central Police Station (CPS) and later transferred to Naggalama Police Station.
The two then appeared before Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate Asuman Muhumuza on June 15, 2022 and were charged with inciting violence and remanded to Luzira prison.
However, through their lawyers led by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, the pair applied for bail, which was turned down on grounds that it was too late.
Court would then adjourn to June 17, 2022, to deliberate on their bail application on which Magistrate Muhumuza turned down their bail application and further remanded them to Luzira prison till July 1, 2022, on grounds the two had turned into habitual offenders of the same charges.
Their release came just a day after High Court judge Tadeo Asiimwe rejected their bail application arguing that they had to first exhaust the administrative functions of the Magistrate’s Court.
The Buganda Road Court Magistrate adjourned the case to July 29th when the accused will return for the hearing of the matter.
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