Opposition strongman Dr. Kiiza Besigye has declined a 30 Million Shillings cash bail ruling granted to him by the Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate.
He had appeared before Grade One Magistrate Sienna Owomugisha amidst tight security on charges of inciting violence. Besigye denied the charges and asked to be released on bail.
Prosecution states that on May 24th, 2022 at Arua Park Muno Village Shauriyako Parish in Central Division in Kampala District, without lawful excuse at an assembly made statements to the members of the public indicating or implying that it would be desirable to demonstrate, an act which was reportedly calculated to lead to destruction or damage to property.
Joan Keko, State Attorney objected to bail saying that if Besigye’s records are known in court, it implies that he should desist from committing crimes that bring him to Court.
Her Worship Owomugisha granted Besigye bail on grounds that the case is bailable, he presented Substantial Sureties, is a senor citizen and is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Each of the sureties was bonded at 70 million shillings, not cash.
Besigye’s sureties were Wafula Ogutu and the Deputy Secretary-General Harlod Kaija.
However, Besigye declined to accept the cash terms of his bail describing them as outrageous, he instead opted to go to Prison on remand until his lawyers can appeal the bail ruling.
The opposition heavy weight instructed his lawyers Erias Lukwago and Chrysostom Katumba to appeal the matter. Lukwago told journalists that they were shocked to hear that amount of money because he passed all the necessary terms for bail.
Lukwago said his client has been under preventive arrest at his home for almost two weeks and he has not been working. He stated that even if the process of appeal would mean Besigye staying locked up for a longer period of time, it is worth the shot. The case adjourned to June 16.
Besigye was arrested from Arua Park where he was addressing crowds and taken to the Central Police Station in Kampala. He was later transferred to Nagalama Police Station where he spent a night.
Compiled by Rashidah Nakaayi
