Former presidential Candidates Dr Kizza Besigye and Samuel Walter Lubega Mukaku have been granted bail. The two have been released today by Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Douglas Singiza.
Besigye and Lubega Mukaku have been granted a cash bail of Shs 2.5 million each and Shs 500,000 non-cash to the sureties.
Yesterday, the High Court in Kampala dismissed Besigye and Mukaku’s bail application despite spending two weeks in Luzira prison.
Last week, the suspects’ lawyers led by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago petitioned the High Court challenging the lower court’s decision denying them bail. The petitioners’ argued that they have never been convicted nor served any sentence and therefore are not guilty.
In his ruling, Justice Tadeo Asiimwe said the petition was prematurely brought to High Court without exhausting other avenues where the applicants would be released on bail.
The two 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.
They were on June 15, 2022 produced before Buganda road Grade One Magistrate Asuman Muhumuza and charged them with inciting violence. Through their lawyers led by the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwa go, the two applied for bail. Court however turned down their application on grounds that it was too late.
Court however adjourned to June 17, 2022 to deliberate on their bail application. On June 17, Magistrate Muhumuza turned down their bail application and further remanded them to Luzira prison till July 1, 2022.
The Magistrate argued that the two were last week granted bail on similar charges and there is no guarantee that they will be arrested again.
