The General Court Martial (GCM) at Makindye in Kampala has set April 3, 2023, to rule on the bail application of 32 jailed National Unity Platform (NUP) party supporters.

GCM chairman Brig. Gen Freeman Mugabe said on Wednesday: “This court will on April 3 issue a ruling on your bail application. The 32 are, therefore, further remanded till then". 

Mugabe made the remarks shortly after the state had responded to the accused's application, requesting the court to deny all the suspects bail.

The suspects are charged with illegally possessing explosives. (Credit: Douglas Mubiru)

“My lord chairman, none of the applicants’ affidavits showed a fixed place of abode and most of the sureties on examination by this court failed and could not tell where the applicants reside or who they are. We, therefore, pray that court denies all the applicants bail and the application be dismissed,” Lt Gift Mubehamwe submitted.

In response defence lawyers George Musisi, Benjamin Katana and Elizabeth Nyasingwa defended their clients, saying the suspects have spent close to two years on remand and the state has failed to try them and neither disclosed the grounds under which they will be tried.

The suspects, all charged with illegally possessing explosives, are hawker Olivia Lutaya, 27; Davis Mafabi, 29; Abdallah Gibusiwa, 23; Livingstone Katushabe, 35; Swaibu Katabi, 30; Siraji Mudebo, 66; Joseph Muganza, 45 and Stanley Lwanga, 26.

Others are Rashid Sseguja aka Chairman, 36; Yasin Ssekitoleko aka Machete, 28; Mesach Kiwanuka, 30; Abdallah Kintu, 35; Umar Emma Kato, 27; Musa Kavuma, 23; Ibrahim Wandera, 33; Albert Nagwere, 49; Steven Musakulu, 52 and Jimmy Galukande, 26, among others.

Some of the applicants’ sureties David Lewis Rubongoya (2nd L), also the NUP secretary general and Makindye East Member of Parliament Derrick Nyeko (2nd R) listen to court proceedings on Wednesday. (Credit: Douglas Mubiru)

Prosecution alleges that between November 2020 and May 12, 2021, in diverse areas of Jinja, Mbale, Kireka, Nakulabye, Kawempe, Nateete and Kampala central, the accused were in possession of 13 pieces of explosive devices, which are ammunition ordinarily a monopoly of the defence forces.