The Uganda Land Commission (ULC) Chairperson, Beatrice Byenkya Nyakaisiki, charged with abuse of office, has been released on a cash bail of sh4m.

Byenkya was this evening granted bail hours after denying the charges after the Anti-Corruption Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro found her sureties substantial.

The sureties bonded at sh35m, not cash are Daniel Muhairwe, the former Buhaguzi County MP, Dr. Patrick Isingoma Mwesigwa, Hoima MP, and Joseph Muwaya, the African Development Bank consultant.

Also released on a sh4m cash bail include police officers Richard Godfrey Anywar and Titus Wamono while Edward Turyatunga was denied bail over failure to produce in court substantial sureties.

The magistrate also granted Byenkya bail, observing that she is suffering from an ailment resulting from an accident. Byenkya had applied for bail through her lawyer Ateenyi Tibaijuka.

“Byenkya has produced in court a medical document from Savannah Sunrise Medical Centre indicating that she is sick and undergoing treatment, hence entitled to bail,” she noted.

Charges

Byenkya and the three police officers are facing charges of obstruction of search and abuse of office, contrary to Section 35 and 11 of the Inspectorate of Government Act and the Anti-Corruption Act, 2002, respectively.

The offence of obstruction of search attracts a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment, on conviction, while abuse of office elicits seven years.

Investigations

IG lawyers Ernest Katwesigye and Thomas Okoth informed the court that investigations in the matter are still ongoing and asked the court to remand the accused persons.

“I pray that you adjourn the case to another date for mention to allow Police to conclude investigate in the matter,” Katwesigye requested.