KAMPALA – Eight men who were committed for trial on charges of murdering of former police spokesman Felix Kaweesi in March 2017 continue to languish in jail despite their release on bail.
The eight appeared today September 3 at the International Crimes Division of the High Court with hope of joining their family members that where eagerly waiting for them.
However the court’s registrar Stella Atim broke the hope when she told she was unable to sign on their release forms citing that the court record to not have a signed ruling by the trial judge Lydia Mugambe permitting her to release them.
Atim informed the group that it is prudent that the judge signs the ruling to enable the her to sign the release order that is being sought.
She deferred the matter to September 6 when she will sign on the release order and other documents after receiving the signed ruling of the presiding judge who sits at the High Court Civil Division.
This left the applicants/ accused relatives wondering why their people are being tossed around despite fulfilling their bail conditions that where set by court.
The eight are; Abdurashid Mbaziira, Noordin Higenyi alias taata Abdallazak, Yusuf Mugerwa alias Wilson, Bruhan Balyejusa alias Jimmy Masiga Ogutu, Josshua Magezi Kyambadde alias Abdu Rahman, Jibril Kalyango alias Abu Aisha, Yusuf Siraje Nyanzi alias Jimmy Ssentamu and Shafik Kasujja.
The group is part of the 23 suspects that were charged with Kaweesi murder, his body guard Kenneth Erau and driver Godfrey Wambewa and later committed to High Court on October 23, 2017 to stand trial.
Prosecution states that the group between January and March 2017 in diverse districts of Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, Bugiri, Busia, Tororo and others still at large for purposes of influencing government involved themselves in complicity of murder of Kaweesi.
It is further stated that the accused rendered support to Balyejusa and Ogutu who are alleged known members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group in executing terrorism acts.
It is also stated that the group confessed to being part of a terrorist group ADF listed in the second schedule to the Anti-Terrorism Act 2002 between 2006 and 2007 while operating in various places within Uganda and DR Congo.
Last month Justice Mugambe ordered for the release of the suspects saying that they had fulfilled their bail terms.
