DP activists released on bail

PIC: Democratic Party (DP) activists and their lawyer Kenneth Paul Kakande during the Court proceeding. Photo by Peter Busomoke

The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court has released five Democratic Party youth activists on bail pending the hearing of the incitement case against them.

The grade one Magistrate Joan Aciro released them on a cash bond of sh500, 000 each after she found their sureties substantial on Wednesday. Their sureties were each bonded at sh5m non cash.

The accused include, the former DP youth leader Moses Bigirwa, Allan Kitonsa, Juma Kayondo, Harunah Nsibuka and Hakim Kizza Saula.

Aciro agreed with the defense lawyer Abdallah Kiwanuka that there is no official format of writing the LC letters addressed to courts of law as opposed by state attorney Peter Mugisha.

She also said that their misconduct at the Court last time should not be used as a basis for their denial of bail because bail is their constitutional rights.

However, before releasing them, Aciro warned them against engaging in violence and implored them to respect all the statutory bodies.

"Before I take leave, I would like to warn all of you against engaging in violence and other inhuman activities." Aciro said.

She adjourned the case to October 13 for hearing after prosecution told court that inquiries in the case are complete.

Prosecution alleges that the accused on September 14, 2016 at the Parliament's main gate in Kampala, the accused without lawful excuse made statements calculated to incite violence against the public.

It further alleges that on the same day, they also assaulted Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Benson Ombworoh while executing his duty.

They were demonstrating over Nakifuuma MP Kafeero Ssekitoleko's proposal to amend the age limit for judges.
The proposal has since been suspended by the speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga.

Security was beefed up at the court to avoid the same incident from happening.

On Monday, Aciro rejected Democratic Party deputy secretary general Gerald Siranda to stand as surety for the accused for insulting her.

"Counsel that man attacked me in my chambers after Court last time. He pointed a finger at me, he threatened and abused me.  I expected him to appear in my chambers to apologize. With such conduct I cannot allow him. I don't want to know how big he is in the country or his party. He must respect the law. Alternatively get another surety," Aciro said.

This prompted Kiwanuka to apologize for the antecedents which happened at the court last time and accordingly withdraw him from standing surety for the accused.

"Your worship, I apologize on behalf of the accused for whatever happened in court last time. I want to assure you that this incident will never happen," Kiwanuka said.

Siranda, who stood surety for Moses Birigwa, when he first applied for bail last month was rejected after court pronounced that he was not substantial, prompting   him and others to demonstrate in court and also attempted to lynch state attorney Peter Mugisha.