Kabamba attack suspect, 70, granted bail

Seventy-year-old Ali Mukiibi, who is accused of plotting to overthrow the Government, has been released on bail.

The Court Martial presided over by Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti granted Mukiibi a non-cash bail of sh3m after he proved to court exceptional circumstances like advanced age.

"The accused cannot sustain life in prison due to old age," Gutti said.

Mukiibi had spent about three years locked up in Kigo prison. He beamed with joy immediately after court temporarily released him from prison.

However, the same court denied Herbert Muyimbwa 54, and Hajat Nassim Namuzimule, 52, bail on grounds that they did not adduce to court exceptional circumstances like grave illness that cannot be handled by prison authorities.

All the three were represented by lawyer Fredrick Semwanga.

The court chairman also declined to grant the other two bail, saying the offence they were charged with is grave in nature.

The trio is jointly charged with Lt. Col. Phillip Frank Eguma, 42, Lt. Ronald Waibi Mwavu, 36, Pte Kenneth Ssekajja, 32, Lt. Ronald Mwavu and Sgt. Nduga Musaazi, Marvin Ssemwogerere, 33, John Lumala Salongo, Patrick Kibuuka, Solomon Matovu, Peter Kibirige, and Francis Kiwanuka.

The accused are battling charges of treason.

It is alleged that the accused attacked Kabamba Army Barracks in Mubende district with intentions of overthrowing the government.

The suspects include five UPDF soldiers and nine civilians including one woman.

Prosecution alleges that the suspects in September 2013 and May 2014 in various districts in Uganda and Nairobi in Kenya declined to disclose vital information to the army authorities about the recruitment of people to engage into activities to prejudice the security of UPDF and preparations to attack Armored Warfare Training School (AWTS) in Mubende district.

Prosecution further alleges that during the same period the suspects aided Eguma, Mwavu to prejudice the security of the defence by preparing AWTS in Mubende district.