Court grants Bunyoro Kingdom subjects bail

Mr Abu Busobozi, a councillor leaves court after hearing of the bail application at Masindi High Court.
Photo by Francis Mugerwa

What you need to know:

Pay back. They are accused of taking part in land clashes that forced the Bunyoro king to cancel a trip

Hoima.
Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom’s works minister Raphael Eribankya and four kingdom subjects who are charged with arson and aggravated robbery in a recent land clashes have been granted bail.

The suspects, who had spent two weeks on remand at Hoima prison, were transferred to Masindi prison last Tuesday after the kingdom secured a production warrant from Masindi High Court.

Presided over by Justice Simon Byabakama, High Court in Masindi on Wednesday granted bail to Mr Eribankya Mr Abu Busobozi, the Northern ward councillor to Kahoora Division and Ms Monday Margret, the Central ward councillor.

Others are Mr Joseph Bamusoni, Mr Kimera Mustafa.
Mr Simon Kasangaki, their lawyer, and Bunyoro Kingdom’s deputy attorney general, Mr Robert Irumba, requested for the bail on grounds that it is their constitutional right and they have substantial sureties.

Court ordered them to report to Hoima Chief Magistrates court every last Wednesday of the month.
Court also ordered the accused not to leave the court’s area of jurisdiction without permission as well as warned them against interfering with the witnesses.

The clashes
Clashes broke out between Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom subjects and a group of settlers in Rwengabi village who have occupied the Omukama of Bunyoro Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I’s traditional hunting ground. The clashes occurred on the day the King was due to visit the area and address his subjects. The King consequently suspended his trip to the area until calm would be restored in the area.