National Unity Platform’s (NUP) Martin Muwanga, accused of unlawful possession of defence stores has been released on bail.

General Court Martial (GCM) chairperson Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, released Muwanga after finding all his two sureties substantial.

Releasing the accused, Mugabe ruled: “This court finds merit in the bail application. The accused, Muwanga, is, therefore, released and bonded shillings two million cash and his two sureties a non-cash shillings 10 million, each.”

Mugabe also ordered Muwanga to not go beyond Kampala and Wakiso districts without GCM’s permission and to always report to the court’s registrar every after 14 days, a month on Wednesday.

“Failure to oblige to any of these orders will automatically lead to cancellation of this bail,” Mugabe ordered.

Muwanga, 37, the LC3 councillor for Nabaziza-Kyengera in Wakiso district and affiliated to the Opposition NUP party, has been on remand at Kitalya Government Prison since February 19, 2024.

The charge to which he is charged contravenes sections 160 (1) and (2) (C) of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces Act, 2005 and attracts a maximum imprisonment sentence of 10 years, upon conviction.

Through his lawyers, George Musisi and Benjamin Katana, Muwanga presented two sureties: Sharif Matovu, a fellow councillor and Daniel Kamira, both his friends and all abode at Nabazziza cell, Kyengera town council in Wakiso district.

Army Director of Prosecutions Lt Col Raphael Mugisha, Captain Ambroz Guma and Lt Alex Rasto Mukhwana are prosecuting the case.

Prosecution alleges that on January 26, 2024, while at Nazzaziza cell, Kyengera in Wakiso district, Muwanga was found in unlawful possession of a military body armour, which is a gazette of the defence forces store.