FDC officials held on treason granted bail

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 13 DECEMBER 2011

KAMPALA

After a nine-hour wait for their bail to be processed at the International War Crimes Division of the High Court, three members of the FDC party accused of treason finally walked to temporary freedom.

Ms Ingrid Turinawe, the FDC Women’s League leader, Mr Sam Mugumya, the personal assistant to party leader Kizza Besigye, and Mr Francis Mwijukye, who heads the youth wing, walked to freedom at 5.30pm after a two-month incarceration at Luzira Prison.

Their march to freedom was greeted with chants and ululations by party supporters, mainly students from Kyambogo and Makerere universities, who had been waiting at the court since morning.

Justice Anup Singh Choudry, who granted the suspects bail, said they had produced credible sureties. “This case is fresh and they are serious charges but prosecution has not given an indicator whatsoever that their release would interfere with investigations,” ruled Justice Choudry. “In considering the application, there are two factors court has to consider, absconding bail and interfering with investigations.”

The release of the trio was prompted by applications through their attorneys Earnest Kalibbala and David Mpanga. According to the application, the accused persons have a right to bail and enjoy presumption of innocence which the State objected to, arguing that investigations were still ongoing. “We are gathering information from witnesses,” Mr Emmanuel Muwonge, the State Attorney said.

Justice Choudry freed the FDC officials upon presenting nine sureties and payment of a cash bail of Shs5m each. But the suspects will report to Nakawa Chief Magistrates for mention of their case.

Prosecution alleges that Ms Turinawe, Mr Mugumya and Mr Mwijukye and others still at large between August and October this year in Kampala, Hoima, Wakiso, Mityana and other places in Uganda, planned to overthrow the government by force of arms and expressed that plot at various meetings. According to the charge sheet, the suspects allegedly mobilised the launch of simultaneous riots countrywide.

The sureties

Name Position
Nandala Mafabi Leader of Opposition
Ibrahim Ssemujju Kyaddondo East MP
Florence Ekwau Kaberamaido Woman
Maj. John Kazoora FDC official
Godfrey Kayemba Masaka Mun. Mayor
Mathias Mpuuga Masaka Mun. MP
Roland Mugume Rukungiri Mun. MP
Anita Among University lecturer