State opposes ex-Mbabazi aide's bail application

By Michael Odeng

THE state has vehemently opposed a request for bail by former aide to presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi, who is accused of absconding duty and making public statements without army authority.

According to prosecution, the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) investigating officer, Capt. John Sangwa is tirelessly working overtime and engaging all machinery to ensure that investigations are concluded.

"I pray that court declines to give Pte. Emmy Katabazi, 51, bail because he and his witnesses may interfere with the on-going investigations," State prosecutor Moses Buwaso told the General Court Martial (GCM) presided over by Maj. Gen. Levi Karuhanga.

Buwaso stated that lawful custody and having a family does not exempt the accused from answering charges preferred against him.

The bail request for Katabazi was made by his lawyer Caleb Kangye Mugabi following delays in investigations.

"Since investigations are still on-going, I pray that the accused be granted bail because he has no intentions of jumping bail and interfering with investigations," he argued. 

Katabazi was arrested on 8th October, arraigned before the GCM on 3rd November and detained at Makindye Military Police headquarters in Kampala. 

Katabazi, attached to the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), presented to court four people to stand surety for him. They include his wife Jackline Katabazi, Sande Kateregga and two ISO employees – Pte. Walter Oromchan and Pte. Gloria Dania. They submitted their LC letters and passports to court for security purpose.

Donning UPDF uniform, Katabazi looked confident as he stood in the dock. The court session, which lasted for about 10 minutes, was attended by friends and relatives of the accused.

Prosecution alleges that Katabazi between May 21, and 27 this year, while deployed at the ISO headquarters, Nakasero, without authority left the said place where his duties required him to be and went to diverse places in Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Arua and Yumbe district.

It is further alleges that in the same period, while in those various places, Katabazi without proper authorization from the UPDF appropriate authorities, made public speeches, thereby contravening rule 2 (1) of code of conduct for the defence forces.

Once convicted, Katabazi faces a maximum sentence of four years' imprisonment for the charge of absence without leave and two years for conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline of the army and thereafter dismissal from UPDF with disgrace.

The court will rule on the bail application on 9th December.