Nine linked to Adjumani poll violence released on bail

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ADJUMANI

The grade one magistrate court in Adjumani on Wednesday granted bail to nine suspects charged with assault and malicious damage during the recent National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primary elections.

The group are accused of vandalising posters of Anyanzo John Ambayo, one of the candidates for the LC5 position in the same district.

Court heard that the accused, on July 20, 2025, attacked Ambayo supporters during a campaign consultation meeting in Molupkwoda cell. A number of people were allegedly assaulted, and Ambayo’s posters were destroyed.

The accused persons are Jevan Eruaga, Emmanuel Andruga, George Akule, Joel Vuziga, Swaib Vundru, Abraham Adreara, Patrick Anyovi, Evans Anyanzo and Isaac Oroma.

While granting the bail, His worship Michael Okot, the grade one magistrate in charge of Adjumani Court explained that the prosecution did not object to the application but instead opted to allow the court to exercise its discretion in the matter in the absence of any objection to the application, the court finds no reason to deny the suspects bail application.

All the accused persons presented substantial sureties in court, which fulfils the requirement for court Bail.

The court granted bail to the applicants in the following terms: each of the applicants shall execute a non-cash bond of Sh1m, each of the sureties is bonded to the court to the tune of sh11.5m not cash.

The magistrate stated that the court is aware that from the particulars, the charge emanates from election activities and therefore cautioned each applicant against participating in unlawful election activities.

The matter is fixed for hearing on August 15, 2025. Anyama, the incumbent LC5 chairman of Adjumani, during an interview with journalists outside the Court, called upon his supporters to desist from violent political wars.

The NRM primary elections for LC5, Mayors and their councillors will be on Thursday across the country.