Kaweesi murder suspects out on bail
On Tuesday, High Court Judge Lydia Mugambe released each of the accused on a non-cash bail of sh150m while their sureties were bonded at sh250m not cash.
PIC: Shafic Kasujja (left) with Gabriel Kalyango and the co-accused after after being granted bail at the International Crimes Division of the High Court on Tuesday 19th March 2019. (Photo by Ivan Kabuye.)
CRIME MURDER
The High Court has released on bail eight men that have been on remand for two years over the murder of former police spokesperson, Andrew Felix Kaweesi.
On Tuesday, High Court Judge Lydia Mugambe released each of the accused on a non-cash bail of sh150m while their sureties were bonded at sh250m not cash.
"Considering the long period the applicants have spent on remand without trial, I am inclined to release all of you on bail after presenting substantial sureties in court," Mugambe ruled.
They are Abdul-Rashid Mbaziira, Aramanzani Noordin Higenyi alias Taata Abdullazack, Yusuf Mugerwa alias Wilson, Bruhan Balyejusa alias Jimmy Masiga Ogutu, Joshua Magezi Kyambadde alias Abdu Rahman, Jibril Kalyango alias Abu Aisha, Yusuf Siraje Nyanzi alias Jimmy Ssentamu and Shafik Kasujja.
The group is part of the 23 suspects that were charged with Kaweesi's murder and later committed to the High Court on October 23, 2017 to stand trial.
Shafic Kasujja (left) one of the co-accused celebrating after being granted bail at International Crimes Division of the High Court. (Photo by Ivan Kabuye).
Their release on bail means that all the suspects in regard to Kaweesi's murder are now out on bail.
However, they have been further remanded until Friday this week to enable them furnish in court the necessary documents like the national identity cards required as part of their bail conditions.
Kaweesi was killed in cold blood on March 17, 2017 in the city suburb of Kulambiro in Nakawa division together with his body guard Kenneth Erau and driver Geoffrey Mambewo.
While granting them bail, the judge directed for the verification of their national identity cards that were allegedly confiscated from them on arrest in addition to their fixed residences.
They have also been barred from travelling abroad without authorisation of the court in addition to reporting to the registrar of the court for the renewal of their bail on 19th of every month until disposal of their case.
The judge also lauded the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) for aiding the court in the verification of sureties' national identity cards.
Mugambe dismissed the state attorney's submission that the accused stand high chances of skipping court once released on bail basing on the gravity of the charges against them, saying it has no connection with absconding court.