Suspects in Nebanda case freed

The five suspects paid a Shs10 million cash bail each and are expected in court on March 5.

Five of the six suspects in the death of Butaleja Woman MP Cerinah Nebanda were yesterday released on Shs10 million cash bail each, two months after they were remanded to Luzira Prison.

Makindye Chief Magistrate Esther Nambayo also ordered the suspects to deposit their passports with court and their sureties were each asked to deposit a land title registered in their names.

The key suspect, Adam Suleiman Kalungi, had not applied to be released. It was not clear why he declined to apply for bail.
The suspects are facing charges of manslaughter and two counts of being in possession of narcotic drugs contrary to the National Drug Policy and Authority Act. They, however, deny the charges.

State steps in
On January 15, court struck out the charge of supplying and dispensing drugs, saying it was defective. State prosecutor Samali Wakoli had earlier asked court to deny the suspects bail on grounds that they would jump trial.

She was unsuccessfully relying on the affidavit of police detective John Musana, the investigating officer, who claimed that it was hard to trace and arrest the suspects.

The detective in his affidavit also stated that one of the suspects, Mr Abid Rashid Butt, travels a lot to Pakistan and that once released, he might not return.

The magistrate held that the State’s fears were on speculations.
Court fixed March 5 for hearing of the case.