Court Martial grants bail to three police officers

Three of the ten police officers who were charged of kidnapping a former Rwandan presidential guard Lt. Joel Mutabazi have today been granted Shs10 million non-cash bail by Makindye general court martial.
Last year Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) arrested over ten police officers and three civilians over the kidnapping Lt. Mutabazi, and one Jackson Karemera, who were reportedly deported back to Rwanda.
Appearing before the seven member court chaired by Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti, D/CPL Amon Kwarisima, SPC Faisal Katende and D/ASP James Magada were released on bail after being satisfied that the three are junior ranking officers who cannot interfere with the on-going CMI investigations.
The three signed Shs10 million non-cash bail as their sureties signed Shs5 million each and ordered to appear before court registrar twice a month.
However court vowed to cancel their bail if they fail to comply with court instructions. The rest have been sent back to Luzira prison until February, 5 2018.
Last month the former head of the police Professional Standards Unit (PSU) Joel Aguma was denied bail by the same court and that prompted him to petition at the High Court’s Criminal Division applying for bail which until now has not been heard.
According to prosecution, in 2013 CP Aguma and his co-accused, contrary to the Penal Code Act, arrested Lt. Mutabazi, a former Republican Guard (Presidential Guard) officer who had run away from Rwanda to Uganda citing persecution, and handed him over back to Rwandan authorities.
Lt. Mutabazi was subsequently tried in Rwanda and given a life sentence by a military court.