Bobi Wine brother granted bail, barred from protest

PIC: Robert Kyagulanyi's private barber Eddie Ssebufu Mutwe, Kyagulanyi's brother Chairman Nyanzi, David Lule and Dj Julius Katongole, appearing before Buganda Road Magistrates Court on July 24, 2018. The four are accused of assaulting and obstructing Police from arresting Bobi Wine during the scuffle between anti-social media tax activists recently. (Credit: Abou Kisige)

OTT TAX PROTESTS

Fred Nyanzi, a brother of Kyadondo East Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine)  has been released on bail after spending eleven days on remand over mobile money tax protest.

About a fortnight ago, Nyanzi, also the former Kamwokya LC1 chairman, was charged with two counts of disobedience of a statutory duty alongside David Lule, Edward Ssebuwufu and Julius Katongole who denied the charges and remanded pending bail ruling.

The trio is accused of engaging in unlawful protest against the imposition of the social media and mobile taxes, a statutory duty.

Releasing the group on bail  this morning,  Grade One Magistrate Esther Nahirya,  barred them from participating in any unlawful protest until the disposal of their case.

The magistrate warned that further engagement in unlawful protest by the accused would lead to automatic cancellation of their bail.

She released each of the accused on a cash bail of sh1m while each of their sureties was bonded at sh10 m not cash. 

Shortly after court, the accused's  lawyers Abdullah Kiwanuka and Luyimbaazi Nalukoola, said the bail money was too harsh considering the charge.

"The money imposed on the accused was much because they have been on remand for so long. Secondly, the charge is not a serious offence," Nalukoola said.

State attorney Barbra Kyomugisha informed court that investigations in the matter are still ongoing, prompting the magistrate to adjourn the matter until August 24 for further mention.

Meanwhile, Bobi Wine, who is said to have led the protest, did not appear in court to face the law over similar charges. 

Last week, Bobi Wine appeared at the Central Police Station over the same charges, but was released on Police bond after hours of interrogation.

Bobi Wine's lawyer George Musisi told New Vision that his client had been engaged in official duties, but he will appear in court as soon he completes the assignment. 

Others wanted by the Police over the charges include two journalists Raymond Mujuni and Joel Ssenyonyi over the same protest.

Prosecution alleges that, the group and others still at large on June 15, 2018, participated in unlawful protests against a statutory duty. 

According to Central Police Station (CPS) commander, Joseph Bakaleke, they are yet to arrest them. 

"We are not going to issue summons for them, but we shall get them at any time because they have abandoned their duty as journalists and engaged in unlawful protests," Bakaleke said.

The group is said to have started marching from downtown Kampala on June 15, before being intercepted by Police and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) enforcement officers near City Square. 

This, according to prosecution, caused traffic jam in the city and brought business at stand still on the fateful day.