MP Zaake skips bond, faces arrest

The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) has ordered for the arrest of Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake.
The order followed the sanctioning of charges of escaping from Lawful custody and treason against the ailing MP.

The charges stem from the arrest of the group members following the chaos that dominated the last day of campaigns ahead of the Arua Municipality by-election in August. He had been arrested alongside Kyaddondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi for allegedly commanding a group of youths that obstructed the president's motorcade and pelted stones that smashed the windscreen of one of the vehicles in the convoy.
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Police question MP Zaake for seven hours over treason

MP Zaake says the questioning provided him with an opportunity to gather more evidence against his tormenters

Although more than 30 of his colleagues were arrested, Zaake is said to have collapsed and taken to Arua Referral Hospital for treatment. But he reportedly escaped from the sick bed undetected and resurfaced at Lubaga Hospital in Kampala days later.
Zaake was on Monday quizzed for seven hours before he was released on bond and ordered to report back to CID on December 5, 2018.
Now, according to one of the investigators, Zaake is supposed to be arrested and taken to Arua Court for trial. The two charges are under the jurisdiction of Arua High Court.

"We had summoned him to appear today so we drive him to Arua and charge him in Court," the detective said. However, instead of appearing in person, Zaake sent his lawyers Medard Sseggona and Nicholas Opiyo. The lawyers said Zaake could not appear because he is bedridden.
Detectives at first refused to believe that Zaake is sick thus sending the lawyers to bring medical documents to support their argument. The letters presented showed that Zaake is undergoing physiotherapy at Lubaga Hospital.
By press time, the Director of Criminal Investigation Grace Akullo was yet to decide on the request for a bond extension as Zaake gets medical attention. Sseggona says they will patiently wait for the response from Police.

"We earler requested police that we would be in position to report at 2pm with the Hon Zaake. Unfortunately he is not in position to be here with us bcuase he's still unwell and he's currently undergoing treatment. We have informed police accordingly and we are waiting for their response as they make appropriate consultation. He (Zaake) will appear when he's wel," said Mr Sseggona.
Last year, Zaake was reported to be admitted at Mercy hospital in Minnesota, USA, for injuries sustained on the skull, when he was roughed up during a fracas in parliament, when opposition MPs put up a fight against the amendment of the constitution, to lift the cap on the presidential age.