Bail: The cash making rounds at court

In the past year or so, a good number of people arrested have been released on bail. Most people however wonder if the bail set for some is too high or too low and who deserves bail or not.

Gimara says that some of the terms that court sets for bail include: “An accused may be required to present substantial sureties. A surety is a person who can ensure that the accused can attend court. Applicant may be required to give security. Applicant may also be required to deposit travel documents.”

Among the Ugandans that are unhappy with the way bail is being handled by the judiciary, is the President. In his recent address during the 27th NRM liberation day in Kasese, he repeated his call for bail to be scrapped for some offences, saying, “I do not know why the Judiciary is giving bail to every suspect. There is bail to everybody including the core criminals. We shall do legislation as politicians about this law to determine the categories of suspects supposed to be granted bail.”

In response to his call, the judiciary spokesperson, says that current legal regime provides that bail is a constitutional right. “The judiciary can only act otherwise, if there is a new legislation which suggests so,” says Kisawuzi.

Therefore, as long as the laws have not been changed, the subject of bail will continue being a contentious one.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com