The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, Patrick Amuriat Oboi has been granted bail by Mbarara Magistrate's court.
Amuriat, who was arrested on Friday morning while en route to Rubirizi district, appeared before Grade One magistrate, Gordon Muhimbise on Friday afternoon and charged with disobedience of lawful orders. Amuriat pleaded not guilty to the charge and applied for bail through his lawyer, Lydia Ahimbisibwe of Ahimbisibwe and Agaba advocates.
Priscillah Nyakate the prosecutor, objected to the bail application saying that Amuriat had other pending cases in the same court which has also previously issued summons against him.
Priscillah Nyakate the prosecutor, objected to the bail application saying that Amuriat had other pending cases in the same court which has also previously issued summons against him.
However, the magistrate granted Amuriat bail on the principle that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and that having another case with the same court doesn't remove his right to bail.
Amuriat was granted a non-cash Shs 2 million bail and his two sureties committed to the same amount of money, not cash. His two sureties are Stanley Katembeya the chairperson FDC Mbarara district who is also contesting for Mbarara city mayoral seat and Agatha Atusasire, the FDC contestant for the Mbarara Woman MP seat.
Muhimbise adjourned the case to February 18, 2021, when it will be up for mention. The accusations against Amuriat stem from an incident that happened on Wednesday this week when he was moving to Mbarara city for campaigns. Police tried to block Amuriat from accessing the central business district of Mbarara city after he allegedly changed from the designated route that his campaign team and police had agreed on.
According to the police statement, Amuriat and his team agreed on the routes to be used when accessing the city; from Nyamitanga to Ruti through the Mbarara bypass to Buffalo roundabout then to Kakyeka stadium where his first rally was to take place before moving to Bwizibwera in Kashari in Mbarara district.
However, police says Amuriat deviated from this route and instead opted to use porous routes from Isingiro district through Buremba road in Kakoba Division where he was intercepted at Bishop Stuart University with intentions to go through the main business centre of Mbarara city.
Upon his release from court, Amuriat proceeded to resume his campaign in Bushenyi district.
Amuriat was granted a non-cash Shs 2 million bail and his two sureties committed to the same amount of money, not cash. His two sureties are Stanley Katembeya the chairperson FDC Mbarara district who is also contesting for Mbarara city mayoral seat and Agatha Atusasire, the FDC contestant for the Mbarara Woman MP seat.
Muhimbise adjourned the case to February 18, 2021, when it will be up for mention. The accusations against Amuriat stem from an incident that happened on Wednesday this week when he was moving to Mbarara city for campaigns. Police tried to block Amuriat from accessing the central business district of Mbarara city after he allegedly changed from the designated route that his campaign team and police had agreed on.
According to the police statement, Amuriat and his team agreed on the routes to be used when accessing the city; from Nyamitanga to Ruti through the Mbarara bypass to Buffalo roundabout then to Kakyeka stadium where his first rally was to take place before moving to Bwizibwera in Kashari in Mbarara district.
However, police says Amuriat deviated from this route and instead opted to use porous routes from Isingiro district through Buremba road in Kakoba Division where he was intercepted at Bishop Stuart University with intentions to go through the main business centre of Mbarara city.
Upon his release from court, Amuriat proceeded to resume his campaign in Bushenyi district.
Source
