Kasese attacks: Court frees 6 children

Free. Kasese juveniles head to the dock during the hearing on Monday before they were freed on bail. PHOTO BY TAUSI NAKATO

What you need to know:

  • Released on bail. The children were released on mandatory bail after spending three months on remand.

Jinja.

The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Jinja on Monday released on bail six juvenile suspects implicated in the Kasese bloody violence.

The accused were released on mandatory bail after spending three months on remand without conclusion of investigations into the charges for them to stand trial in the High Court.

The juveniles are: Phasimwa Lyahinda, Crispo Muhindo,Vincent Masereka, Dan Bwambale, Mbusa Bughura and Hamada Masereka. They are aged between 15 and 17.

Their release followed submissions by their defence lawyers comprised of Caleb Alaka, Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa and Evans Ochieng that the accused juveniles be freed on bail since they had stayed on remand for more than three months.

Children’s Act
Counsel Alaka quoted Section 91 of the Children’s Act and Section 20 of the Children’s Amendment Act 2016, which he said gives juveniles the right to be unconditionally released on bail in capital offences unless there is a serious danger on a child upon being released.

“According to the Children’s Act, juveniles on remand custody should not exceed three months and their continued detention in prison will be illegal and we request for their release on bail…” Mr Alaka submitted.

The Chief Magistrate John Francis Kaggwa released the juveniles to Rwenzururu Kingdom Attorney General, Alfred Makasi to ensure they attend court as and when required.

The juveniles join their Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere and the kingdom prime minister Mr Johnson Thembo Kitsumbire who were released on bail recently.

Court demand
They will reappear in court on April 10 for mention of their case.

The juveniles are part of the 169 suspects on trial for alleged treason, terrorism, murder, aggravated robbery and malicious damage to property following last year’s bloodletting in the Rwenzori sub-region that culminated into a joint raid by security forces on the king’s palace in Kasese in November, leaving more than 100 dead.

The army and police claimed the raid was to smoke out wrong elements that were hiding in the palace to continue fomenting violence on government forces and civilians.

Released

The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Jinja on Monday released on bail six juvenile suspects implicated in the Kasese bloody violence.

Suspects

The juveniles are: Phasimwa Lyahinda, Crispo Muhindo,Vincent Masereka, Dan Bwambale, Mbusa Bughura and Hamada Masereka. They are aged between 15 and 17.

Reason

Their release followed submissions by their defence lawyers comprised of Caleb Alaka, Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa and Evans Ochieng that the accused juveniles be freed on bail since they had stayed on remand for more than three months.