Court to hear Omusinga Mumbere’s burial application tomorrow
What you need to know:
In his affidavit, the Omusinga Mumbere states that on November 27, 2016, he was arrested from Buhikira royal palace in Kasese District and subsequently charged with several offences before Jinja Chief Magistrates' Court.
KAMPALA. The International Crimes Division of the High Court has fixed Friday (June 14) as the date it will hear an application in which the Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere is seeking to vary his bail conditions, so that he may be allowed to access Kasese District to join other mourners and bury his mother, Biira Christine Mukirane slated for Wednesday next week.
The application will be heard at about 9am.
The queen mother died on Tuesday morning at Kilembe Mines Hospital at the age of 85.
In his application that he filed Wednesday evening, the Omusinga argues that the current bail terms don't permit him to travel to Kasese to bury his mother since the bail conditions restrict his movements to the three districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Jinja.
He further contends that the same Jinja High Court in 2017, restricted him from setting foot into his kingdom and particularly in the districts of Kasese, Kabarole and Bundibugyo.
"The bail conditions which restricted the applicant's movements within Kampala, Wakiso and Jinja only prohibited him from travelling to or in any manner accessing the districts of Kasese, Kabarole and Bundibugyo during the pendance of his trial be temporarily varied/waved to enable his majesty Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere, the liberty to attend the burial of his deceased queen mother slated to take place on Wednesday 19 June, 2019," Omusinga’s court documents read in part.
In his affidavit, the Omusinga Mumbere states that on November 27, 2016, he was arrested from Buhikira royal palace in Kasese District and subsequently charged with several offences before Jinja Chief Magistrates' Court.
Mumbere avers that on January 13, 2017, he was released on bail by Justice Eva Luswata, who among others barred him from accessing his kingdom before restricting his movements within Kampala, Wakiso and Jinja districts.
"Unfortunately, by operation of the impuged bail conditions, the applicant is effectively prevented from attending the burial of his mother which in the circumstances is harsh and unreasonable," the Omusinga states in his affidavit.
He says that there was a clause for each party to exploit by applying to have the bail conditions reviewed if there was a need and that he is relying on this clause to apply and have the same varied so that he may burry his mother.
Omusinga Mumbere and his royal guards were arrested during a joint military raid on his palace in 2016 and his home in Muyenga has since his release on bail been under the watch of the military.
He is battling several charges of terrorism, murder and aggravated robbery among others that were slapped against him and 200 royal guards in 2016.
