__________________

Several Members of Parliament subscribing to the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party are currently at the General Court Martial (GCM) at Makindye in Kampala to stand surety to 28 bomb suspects who are slated to seek bail for the third time.

The accused lead counsel, George Musisi, has confirmed, saying his clients have spent a long time on remand and that justice ought to prevail.

Among the Legislators arraigned to stand surety for the suspects are the Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi (Nakawa West), Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality), Ronald Balimwezo (Nakawa East), and Helen Nakimuli (Kalangala District).

The accused are charged with illegal possession of 13 pieces of explosive devices (bombs) contrary to Sections 3 (1) and 2 (a) of the Firearms Act Cap 299.

Several accused relatives are also present amid tight security within and outside the court premises.

Journalists barred from covering proceedings

Unlike other cases, journalists have again been barred from covering the proceedings of this particular case, following the court’s earlier order barring them (journalists), from covering the same.

Chaired by Brig. Gen. Freeman Mugabe, the GCM on March 6, 2023, issued what they termed a witness protection order where media and members of the public were barred from covering the case proceeding.

“Media and members of the public will not be allowed in court when protected state witnesses are testifying,” Mugabe ruled then and the order has since stood, despite pleas from the media and rights activists.

The charge

The prosecution alleges that between November 2020 and May 12, 2021, in diverse areas of Jinja, Mbale, Kireka, Nakulabye, Kawempe, Natente, and Kampala Central, the accused had 13 pieces of explosive devices, which are ammunition ordinarily a monopoly of the defence forces.

The accused

The suspects< include 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.

They are charged alongside Rashid Sseguja alias Chairman, 36; Yasin Ssekitoleko alias Machete, 28; Mesach Kiwanuka, 30; Abdallah Kintu, 35; Umar Emma Kato, 27; Musa Kavuma, 23; Ibrahim Wandera, 33 and Albert Nagwere, 49, among others.