By KGR Reporter,
The High Court Criminal Division has denied bail to opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Hajj Obeid Lutale, even as the court acknowledged that all legal conditions for granting bail had been satisfied.
The ruling, delivered in a packed courtroom, emphasized the court’s discretion in balancing individual freedoms with national interests.
The court accepted that both applicants had proven fixed places of residence, had no history of absconding, and had presented sound and substantial sureties.
MPs Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Dr Nicholas Thadeus Kamara, Tonny Muhindo, and Francis Mwijukye stood surety for Besigye, while Hajj Lutale presented family members including his wife and blood relatives.
Lukwago invoked Article 23(6) (a) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to apply for bail, and emphasized that the principle of presumption of innocence under Article 28(3) (a) must guide bail decisions.
Lady Justice Rosette Comfort Kania also made a notable observation on the issue of sureties, rejecting prosecution arguments that sureties must be older than the accused, prompting relatives of the accused to break into tears and chanting. Relatives of accused speaking…..
In a separate interview this afternoon, Hon. Jackson Mbaju Kathika, the National Unity Platform-NUP coordinator for Rwenzori region, described the denial of bail to Besigye as an iron-trick to the opposition in Uganda.
Hon. Kathika speaking…
The Prosecutors allege that the two, while in various cities including Geneva, Switzerland, Athens in Greece and Nairobi in Kenya, and Kampala, solicited firearms, logistical and financial support and attended meetings with intentions to overthrow the current government of Uganda. END.