The High court has granted former Security minister, Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde a non-cash bail of Shs 50 million.
Justice Wilson Kwesiga, the head of the High court criminal division delivered the ruling this morning. Justice Kwesiga bonded Tumukunde's sureties including his wife, Stella Tumukunde, brother Hanninngton Karuhanga and veteran politician Matthew Rukikaire at Shs 50 million not cash.
Justice Kwesiga ordered Tumukunde, who is standing trial for treason and illegal possession of firearms, to deposit his passport with the court and report to the High court registrar once every month.
Justice Kwesiga also directed the retired military officer to appear before the Senior City Hall grade one magistrate, Valerian Tumuhimbise, on May 20 for the extension of his bail.
Justice Kwesiga ordered Tumukunde, who is standing trial for treason and illegal possession of firearms, to deposit his passport with the court and report to the High court registrar once every month.
Justice Kwesiga also directed the retired military officer to appear before the Senior City Hall grade one magistrate, Valerian Tumuhimbise, on May 20 for the extension of his bail.
He dismissed the objection raised by the state prosecutor, Lino Anguzu, to Tumukunde's bail application citing the incomplete investigation, saying the habit of arresting, charging and remanding accused persons before completing investigations should stop.
He also noted that he had looked at the search certificate of March 13 presented by the state that clearly shows that the necessary exhibits were recovered. Justice Kwesiga also noted that it is now 60 days since Tumukunde was arrested, which is sufficient time for police to conclude its investigations since it wasn't affected by the lockdown.
Tumukunde was picked from his Kololo residence on March 12 and arraigned before City Hall Magistrate's court for treason and illegal possession of firearms. He was subsequently remanded to Luzira prison.
He also noted that he had looked at the search certificate of March 13 presented by the state that clearly shows that the necessary exhibits were recovered. Justice Kwesiga also noted that it is now 60 days since Tumukunde was arrested, which is sufficient time for police to conclude its investigations since it wasn't affected by the lockdown.
Tumukunde was picked from his Kololo residence on March 12 and arraigned before City Hall Magistrate's court for treason and illegal possession of firearms. He was subsequently remanded to Luzira prison.
He applied for bail through his lawyers Anthony Wameli, Alex Luganda and Geoffrey Turyamusiima on grounds of advanced age and that he was a presidential aspirant and needed time to consult on his political ambition.
He also argued that he has a permanent place of abode in Kololo. On April 14, Justice Kwesiga said he would consider Tumukunde's application after the lockdown and advised him to get sureties above his military rank. This meant the sureties had to be at the rank of Lieutenant-General, which is Tumukunde's rank, or above.
However, Tumukunde's lawyers, who were joined by criminal law don McDusman Kabega, filed an application for a relaxation of the bail conditions, saying they had failed to secure officers above his rank since he is no longer a serving officer. They also argued that the lockdown was most likely going to be indefinite after two extensions.
He also argued that he has a permanent place of abode in Kololo. On April 14, Justice Kwesiga said he would consider Tumukunde's application after the lockdown and advised him to get sureties above his military rank. This meant the sureties had to be at the rank of Lieutenant-General, which is Tumukunde's rank, or above.
However, Tumukunde's lawyers, who were joined by criminal law don McDusman Kabega, filed an application for a relaxation of the bail conditions, saying they had failed to secure officers above his rank since he is no longer a serving officer. They also argued that the lockdown was most likely going to be indefinite after two extensions.
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