The General Court Martial (GCM) at Makindye in Kampala has deferred the hearing of the bail application of incarcerated Superintendent of Police Vincent Irama Urri, accused of murdering lawyer Ronnie Mukisa.

GCM chairperson Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe deferred the case after defence lawyer Elizabeth Nyasingwa asserted that the accused (Irama) did not sign his affidavits.

“My lord chairman and honorable court members, I seek for a short adjournment till Tuesday (August 22, 2023) on the ground that my client did not sign on the affidavits we intend to rely on in response to his bail application,” Nyasingwa said.

“We shall give the defence chance to prepare their affidavits as said the case is, therefore, adjourned to Tuesday, August 22, 2023, and the accused is hereby remanded back to Luzira Government Prison till then,” Mugabe ruled.

The defence was meant to respond on Monday (August 21, 2023) to the prosecution’s objection to the accused’s want of bail.

Among the sureties he presented are Peninah Irama, his wife, and his friends John Asobasi and Anthony Kirama.

However, the prosecution, led by Private Regina Nanzala, earlier this month objected to the bail application, saying Irama, 45, is a flight risk, therefore, should not be granted bail and that he did not avail proof that Peninah was his wife.

Co-accused

Irama is charged alongside army officers Corporal Geoffrey Mark Anyesa, 51, a resident of Kisasi, Kulambiro in Nakawa division in Kampala, and Sergeant Rashid Ayup Okot, 33, aboding at Kafunda Kazo, Nabweru in Nansana municipality, Wakiso district.

Others are civilians Mzee Josebert Hayeza, 51; Robert Irama Kareodu, 50, and his wife Brenda Cathy Nalwoga, 29, both residents of Kisasi.

The group has not yet sought bail as Irama.

The charge

The prosecution alleges that Irama, Anyase, Ayubu, Hayeza, Kareodu, and Nalwoga on or around May 30, 2023, at about 2300 hours at Katiko in Wakiso district, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of Mukisa.

The charge contravenes Sections 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 120, and carries a maximum death sentence.