Kaweesi murder suspects get bail but denied freedom
Suspects accused of murdering former Assistant Inspector of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi are returned to prison despite being granted bail by the High Court in Kampala on August 6, 2019. PHOTO/FILE/ABUBAKER LUBOWA
The International Crimes Division of the High Court yesterday granted bail to eight suspects who were committed for trial on accusations of murdering former police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi in March 2017.
However, the suspects were not reunited with their family members after prison authorities declined to release them.
The eight through their lawyer, Mr Anthony Wameli, told court that the prison authorities would not let them go home on grounds that they there is a production warrant dated May 23 against them from Nakawa court.
The prisons official only identified as Ekalam informed court that they cannot release the accused because the warrant shows they have a different case that needs to be verified.
However, trial judge Lydia Mugambe advised Mr Wameli to verify with prisons and Nakawa court.
“I do not want to go into another file that is not with me,” the judge ruled.
Justice Mugambe, while granting the bail for the eight accused persons, noted that they had presented the required substantial sureties.
“After looking at the verified documentation and identification, in particular their residences, I am satisfied that the areas of residence and identification brought by the accused at the bail hearing is sufficient and clear for the State to monitor them while on bail,” she ruled.
Justice Mugambe added: “I want to say that considering the three years of arrest and prosecution’s submissions on bail hearing that investigations are completed, the registrar of the International Crimes Division should urgently organise a pre-trial hearing at the convenient court session as delays may be perceived as justice denied.”
She also ordered each of the accused to pay non-cash bond of Shs150m and their sureties Shs250m. She also asked them to keep reporting to the court registrar every 19th day of the month until the end of the trial and that they should not travel outside the country.
The judge also ordered the State to have all properties, including their National Identification Cards, which were taken away from them at the time of their arrest, recorded on the court file.
The group is part of the 23 suspects that were charged with the murder of Kaweesi, his body guard Kenneth Erau and driver Godfrey Wambewa and later committed to High Court on October 23, 2017 to stand trial.
