PRA suspects fail to pay money for bail
Jul 30, 2007
THE High Court in Arua yesterday released on bail all seven People Redemption Army rebel suspects who had been detained at Arua Government prisons on murder charges.
By Frank Mugabi
in Arua
THE High Court in Arua yesterday released on bail all seven People Redemption Army rebel suspects who had been detained at Arua Government prisons on murder charges.
James Kabaka Tabuga, Yahya Amir Asiga, Idd Ahmed Yunus, John Arike, Patrick Okiring, Bruhan Dratre and Samson Agupio were released by Justice Augustus Kania at around 5:00pm, after staying on remand for about five months.
They were, however, taken back to prison after they failed to deposit sh2m each as part of the bail conditions. The entire group needed to pay sh14m to secure their release.
Appearing for the applicants, lawyers Sam Njuba and Caleb Alaka, told court that the families of the accused had suffered due to their continued detention.
Alaka said the suspects had endured psychological and physical stress while in detention and needed bail to receive proper medication.
Their sureties were Kamure Titia, John Godo and Eng. Buzu Adraa, all top officers at the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) office in Arua. They are required to pay a bond of sh10m, not cash.
Swalleh Buga, the LC5 councillor for Arua Hill Division, also stood surety for the accused.
The suspects are supposed to report to the criminal departments in their respective districts twice a month, beginning August 6. They were also ordered to report to the registrar at Arua High Court once a month.
Alaka could not hide his delight after the ruling. “I believe at long last we have got justice. This is how courts have to operate.â€
The seven are part of the 10 PRA suspects who were re-arrested in a Police operation at the High Court in Kampala on March 1.
They were flown to Arua aboard a military helicopter on March 2 and charged with the murder of Lt. Mawa, a UPDF officer, on October 21, 2003 at Alube village in Koboko district.
Only two of the 23 PRA suspects of the Besigye group have not yet been granted bail.
in Arua
THE High Court in Arua yesterday released on bail all seven People Redemption Army rebel suspects who had been detained at Arua Government prisons on murder charges.
James Kabaka Tabuga, Yahya Amir Asiga, Idd Ahmed Yunus, John Arike, Patrick Okiring, Bruhan Dratre and Samson Agupio were released by Justice Augustus Kania at around 5:00pm, after staying on remand for about five months.
They were, however, taken back to prison after they failed to deposit sh2m each as part of the bail conditions. The entire group needed to pay sh14m to secure their release.
Appearing for the applicants, lawyers Sam Njuba and Caleb Alaka, told court that the families of the accused had suffered due to their continued detention.
Alaka said the suspects had endured psychological and physical stress while in detention and needed bail to receive proper medication.
Their sureties were Kamure Titia, John Godo and Eng. Buzu Adraa, all top officers at the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) office in Arua. They are required to pay a bond of sh10m, not cash.
Swalleh Buga, the LC5 councillor for Arua Hill Division, also stood surety for the accused.
The suspects are supposed to report to the criminal departments in their respective districts twice a month, beginning August 6. They were also ordered to report to the registrar at Arua High Court once a month.
Alaka could not hide his delight after the ruling. “I believe at long last we have got justice. This is how courts have to operate.â€
The seven are part of the 10 PRA suspects who were re-arrested in a Police operation at the High Court in Kampala on March 1.
They were flown to Arua aboard a military helicopter on March 2 and charged with the murder of Lt. Mawa, a UPDF officer, on October 21, 2003 at Alube village in Koboko district.
Only two of the 23 PRA suspects of the Besigye group have not yet been granted bail.