Treason case: Besigye honours bail conditions

Kampala.

Former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye yesterday started to honour one of his bail conditions of reporting to the Deputy Registrar of the Criminal Division of the High Court in the treason case as earlier directed by Justice Wilson Masalu Musene, who released him on bail two weeks ago.

On July 12, while releasing Dr Besigye on a non-cash bail of Shs100m after spending two months on remand at Luzira prison, Justice Musene ordered him to be reporting to the Deputy Registrar of the court once every two weeks starting yesterday as one of the four bail term conditions he was asked to honour in exchange for his release.

Yesterday, Dr Besigye did not find Deputy Registrar of the court, Ms Eleanor Mary Khainza, in office. Registrar Khainza was reportedly attending a conference in Entebbe. Subsequently, under the guidance of a court clerk, Dr Besigye signed in a book as proof of honouring his bail terms that he undertook exactly two weeks ago as he was released on bail. His next court appearance in as far as answering to his bail terms has now been fixed for August 9.

Today’s agenda
“Today there wasn’t really much. I am just reporting in accordance with my bail conditions where I am supposed to report after every two weeks…” Dr Besigye briefed journalists shortly after answering to his bail terms.

Dr Besigye also used the opportunity to speak about the events of Monday that saw him arrested and detained at Jinja Road Police Station for the greater part of the day only to be released in the night without any charge slapped against him.

“My vehicle was towed to Jinja Road police where I was detained the whole day with the occupants of my vehicle. I was treated to the usual thing of take off your shoes, I first of all protested, I asked why I should do so but they told me that I was under arrest..” Dr Besigye said, adding: “so I stayed at Jinja Road police for the whole day and at night, they just returned my things and said you go home and I said how, I have been in detention the whole day and I can’t just be released without bond to show that I was detained and released on such terms.”

“I was released without any charge whatsoever, so this kind of abuse of public office and violation of people’s rights is a matter to be dealt with. I am going to be talking to my lawyers and the MPs on what specific measures we can take within the law, and of course, we shall continue with our effort to completely get rid of the whole regime.”

Other conditions

The other bail conditions that Justice Musene gave Dr Besigye as he released him on July 12 were that his four sureties, including FDC party president Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu, Secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi were bonded at a non-cash bail of Shs100m Dr Besigye was also cautioned to resist from engaging in acts of violence and maintain peace in society or else he risks having his bail cancelled and returned to Luzira. The treason charges that Dr Besigye is currently battling arise from his alleged swearing-in himself as president of Uganda following the disputed February 18 elections in which he claims to have won by 52 per cent.