Kaweesi murder suspect set to discover bail fate

The International Crimes Division of the High Court is today afternoon scheduled to determine whether eight men accused of murdering former Police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi have fulfilled their bail conditions warranting their temporary freedom.

They are Abdul-Rashid Mbaziira, Aramanzani Noordin Higenyi alias Taata Abdullazack, Yusuf Mugerwa alias Wilson, Bruhan Balyejusa alias Jimmy Masiga Ogutu, Joshua Magezi Kyambadde alias Abdu Rahman, Jibril Kalyango alias Abu Aisha, Yusuf Siraje Nyanzi alias Jimmy Ssentamu and Shafik Kasujja. 

Kaweesi was killed in cold blood on March 17, 2017, in the city suburb of Kulambiro in Nakawa division together with his bodyguard Kenneth Erau and driver Geoffrey Mambewo.

On March 19, 2019, Justice Lydia Mugambe released each of them on a non-cash bail of sh150m while their sureties were bonded at sh250m not cash.

However, they were further remanded until today for purposes of verification of their places of abode by the state before regaining temporary freedom.

Mbaziira and Higenyi's hopes of regaining freedom were shattered on Wednesday after the state slapped fresh charges of child kidnap on them, which is also a capital offence in nature only triable by the High Court.

The release of their co-accused is also uncertain having been deferred twice by the trial judge.

The group is part of the 23 suspects that appeared before the Nakawa Chief Magistrate's Court over Kaweesi's murder.

Last year, their co-accused were released on mandatory bail by Nakawa Chief Magistrate's Court pending investigations in their case.

They are Umar Maganda, Ahmed Ssenfuka, Sheikh Musa Ntende, Hassan Tumusiime, Ibrahim Kissa, Hamid Magambo, Abdul-Majid Ojerere, Sauda Ayub, Osman Muhammed Omar, Asuman Mugoya, Ibrahim Ssemwanga alias superman and Swaleh Ddamulira.

They are slated to appear before Nakawa Court on April 23.  

The charges

The prosecution alleges that the group between January and March 2017 in the districts of Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, Bugiri, Busia, Tororo and others still at large for purposes of influencing government, were involved in the murder of Kaweesi.

It further alleges that the accused rendered support to known members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), rebel group in executing terrorism acts in the country.