Mbarara acid attack suspect granted bail

Bonny Tashobya received by his supporters at after he was granted bail. Photos by Evans Atwine

Mbarara High Court has granted bail to the speaker of Mbarara Municipality, Bonny Tashobya, who is facing charges of attempted murder.

Bonny Tashobya was arrested last week to help Police with investigations into the case of Amos Katureebe who was attacked with acid before appearing before the lands probe commission to testify about giveaway of government's land in Mbarara.

Katureebe is fighting for his life in Mengo Hospital.

Tashobya's arrest followed allegations by Katureebe he heard Tashobya call his name and when he turned, acid was poured onto his face. 

The Chief Magistrate, Mariam Akello, ordered Tashobya to pay sh1m cash. At court, Tashobya was received by relatives and friends who had camped there from morning up to 3:00pm when bail was granted.

His sureties included former Mbarara district chairperson, Deus Tumusiime, Stephen Muganga, the chairperson Biharwe sub-county, Teo Kataratambi, the councillor representing Nyakayojo sub-county, Kubule Muliwa, the councillor Biharwe sub-county and Henry Mushabe, the Mbarara community development officer.

Each was ordered to pay sh10m not cash.

Tashobya speaking to the press

"The accused at this time is presumed innocent until proved guilty, his sureties presented are substantial," Akello stated.

Speaking to journalists at court, Tashobya denied allegations and urged his supporters to remain calm and wait for Police investigations.

He said the perpetrators of the incident will face the law.

"I want to tell Ugandans and the people of Mbarara that at my level as a speaker I cannot do such an inhuman thing," Tashobya said.

Katureebe, a councillor representing people of Nyamityobora ward in Kakoba division, Mbarara Municipality, was attacked with acid on Wednesday night last week. 

He was rushed to Mbarara Hospital and later to Mengo Hospital where he is currently admitted in critical condition.

On Thursday, Katurebe was supposed to testify before the Justice Catherine Bamugemereire commission in the matter involving the give away of National Forestry Central Reserves in Mbarara Municipality which have been allocated to individuals.

Earlier in the week, Bamugemereire had warned that some of the witnesses were being threatened.

She later visited the home of Katurebe and later visited him in hospital and promised relatives to take up the matter.

His wife Jackline Mugabe Katurebe told New Vision that she was worried her family might be attacked too by assailants who attacked her husband.