Gen. Tumukunde treason case deferred to April 14

Mar 30, 2020

Tumukunde’s pre-trial proceeding was on Monday conducted at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court through a video link system by Chief Magistrate Miriam Ayo Okello.

COURT 

KAMPALA - The hearing of the case in which former security minister, Lt. Gen Henry Tumukunde is accused of treason, has been deferred to April 14, the day High Court will give a verdict on whether Tumukunde deserves to be freed on bail.

Tumukunde's pre-trial proceeding was on Monday conducted at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court through a video link system by Chief Magistrate Miriam Ayo Okello.

Gen. Tumukunde is asking the court to release him on bail, pending trial. Tumukunde, 61, is currently in Luzira Prison over treason and unlawful possession of firearms.

Tumukunde lined up four people as sureties. They include his wife, Stella and one of his sons whose name has not yet been revealed, Gen. Mugisha Muntu of Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and FDC eastern region vice president Proscovia Salaamu Musumba.

On Monday, last week, Justice Wilson Kwesiga, the head of the Criminal Division of the High Court directed lawyers representing Tumukunde file written submissions for his bail application.

 

 umukundes lawyers at uganda oad ourt hoto by lfred chwo                       Tumukunde's lawyers at Buganda Road Court. (Photo by Alfred Ochwo)

 

The judge justified the written submission, saying it is in line with the presidential precautionary directives in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kwesiga said Tumukunde's bail application will not be conducted in open court.

"With the prevailing coronavirus threats and pursuant to government guidelines to prevent the dangers associated with the avoidable public gathering. Tumukunde's bail application will not be conducted in open court," Kwesiga statement reads.

He ordered Tumukunde's lawyers to make written submissions and serve the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The DPP will make a written reply to the bail application by April 3.

Tumukunde's lawyers were also ordered to file a rejoinder to DPP's reply not later than April 6.

It is alleged that Tumukunde on March 5, 2020, at NBS Television in Kamwokya, Kampala, during the Morning Breeze Show said, "if I was Rwanda, I would wish to support people who want to cause change in Uganda," which according to state, was aimed at instigating the Republic of Rwanda to invade Uganda to cause unlawful change of Government. 

Prosecution further alleges that Tumukunde on March 13, 2020, at Impala Avenue Kololo had in his possession a modified AK-47 rifle N0. 19865-BU3618 and a star pistol N0. EL-860030, without holding a valid firearms certificate. 

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