Tumukunde released on bail
BRIGADIER Henry Tumukunde was yesterday released on bail by the General Court Martial in Kampala after spending 450 days in detention.
By Hillary Kiirya
and Maurice Okore
BRIGADIER Henry Tumukunde was yesterday released on bail by the General Court Martial in Kampala after spending 450 days in detention.
His movements were, however, restricted to his residence in Kampala. He is also not to be armed but would be provided with security by the court.
The court chairman, General Elly Tumwine, also ordered Tumukunde to deposit his passport with the court and to pay a bond of sh2m, which he did.
Tumukunde applauded the court ruling by clapping, attracting several sympathisers to join him in celebrating his release.
His sureties included the Minister for Local Government, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire.
His other sureties were Hannington Karuhanga and Abel Katembwe, his brother. Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, who had earlier expressed interest in standing surety, later pulled out, saying, “I did not want to be an impediment to my colleague’s freedom.â€
Tumukunde’s lawyers welcomed the court decision. Oscar Kambona said, “We
are happy with the fact that our client has been granted bail. We are now looking forward to the trial, which we expect to be expeditious.â€
Tumukunde applied for bail on grounds that the pending offences were bailable, that he had spent more than the 120-day mandatory period without trial, has a fixed place of abode and had substantial sureties.
Kabega said his client was reformed and would comply with the court conditions.
“My client has no previous record of conviction, he is a distinguished servant of the state and since he has spent one year and three months in prison, he is now a reformed man. He knows what went wrong. We pray that you give the applicant a chance.
Tumukunde faces charges of spreading harmful propaganda. He reportedly said the UPDF leadership had blocked him from retiring.
He was recently acquitted of charges related to the creation of ghost soldiers on the army payroll.
and Maurice Okore
BRIGADIER Henry Tumukunde was yesterday released on bail by the General Court Martial in Kampala after spending 450 days in detention.
His movements were, however, restricted to his residence in Kampala. He is also not to be armed but would be provided with security by the court.
The court chairman, General Elly Tumwine, also ordered Tumukunde to deposit his passport with the court and to pay a bond of sh2m, which he did.
Tumukunde applauded the court ruling by clapping, attracting several sympathisers to join him in celebrating his release.
His sureties included the Minister for Local Government, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire.
His other sureties were Hannington Karuhanga and Abel Katembwe, his brother. Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, who had earlier expressed interest in standing surety, later pulled out, saying, “I did not want to be an impediment to my colleague’s freedom.â€
Tumukunde’s lawyers welcomed the court decision. Oscar Kambona said, “We
are happy with the fact that our client has been granted bail. We are now looking forward to the trial, which we expect to be expeditious.â€
Tumukunde applied for bail on grounds that the pending offences were bailable, that he had spent more than the 120-day mandatory period without trial, has a fixed place of abode and had substantial sureties.
Kabega said his client was reformed and would comply with the court conditions.
“My client has no previous record of conviction, he is a distinguished servant of the state and since he has spent one year and three months in prison, he is now a reformed man. He knows what went wrong. We pray that you give the applicant a chance.
Tumukunde faces charges of spreading harmful propaganda. He reportedly said the UPDF leadership had blocked him from retiring.
He was recently acquitted of charges related to the creation of ghost soldiers on the army payroll.