State sets conditions for Mumbere’s release

JINJA.

Court in Jinja has granted bail to Rwenzururu king Charles Wesley Mumbere.
Justice Micheal Elubu of Jinja High Court on Monday ordered for the release of Omusinga Mumbere from Luzira Prison where he has been on remand for several months on a Shs100 million not cash.
His five sureties, who included his brother Christopher Kyabazanga, the royal chief prince and a junior minister of Agriculture in the central government, were each bonded Shs100m not cash.
However, following an earlier deal between Omusinga’s lawyers and the state, court set conditions for his release, among which included Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) royal guard brigade to guard and maintain his security detail under the Traditional and Cultural Leaders Act and that the police will provide additional security by guarding his royal palace.
Additionally, the king’s movements were restricted to only three districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Jinja.
The king was also ordered not to set foot in Rwenzori region and that he shall have access to his personal doctor and immediate family members, and shall continue reporting to Jinja Chief Magistrates Court and at CID Kampala.
During the hearing of his bail application, Omusinga’s lawyers led by Caleb Alaka told court that they had reached a deal with the state for his release.

State attorney, Ms Grace Ntege Nabaggala, then told court that they had agreed to release Omusinga if he was ready to follow the terms set by the state.
“Yes we have been involved and we have appended our signatures on page two. All the consultations have been done in consultation with the DPP Mike Chibita,” Ms Ntege told court.
Earlier, the police had blocked journalists from accessing the courtroom where the king's bail application was to be heard. However, with the intervention of the registrar, the journalists were finally allowed to attend the hearing on condition that they don't take pictures during the proceedings.

This is the second attempt by the king to apply for bail after he was re-arrested upon his release on the first attempt on January 13, this year and slapped with fresh terrorism charges.
The king and more than 150 of his royal guards are currently facing grave charges ranging from terrorism, treason, murder, aggravated robbery, attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
Some of the charges arose from the bloody clashes in his palace in Kasese on November 27 last year when the police in a joint operation with the army, bombed the palace on suspicion that wrong characters were taking refugee there.
Over 100 royal guards and policemen died in the bloody raid.
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