The Buganda Road Magistrates Court has released 10 accused who were arrested in the recent march to parliament protest. The accused appeared in court and were granted bail on Monday, July 29, 2024.
The bail application hearing was presided over by the Grade I Magistrate, HW Jalia Basajjabalaba at Buganda Road Magistrates Court.
According to the defendants’ lawyers, each of the 10 accused paid a UGX 100,000 cash bail to court before being released. The accused had been taken into custody during the Kampala anti-corruption rally on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
The accused, including Robert Maseruka, the former president of the Makerere University Guild, who was charged with them, were ages between 18 and 21 years. They were accused of causing a common nuisance and were placed under detention at Luzira prison. They are expected to appear in court again for the case hearing on August 29, 2024.
The protesters who were granted bail were represented by lawyers Eron Kiiza, Musisi, Benjamin Katana, and Tumusiime Kato. Eron Kiiza has in the past represented Ugandan author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who claimed to have been tortured by the security agents.
Upon the release of the protesters, Kiiza expressed gratitude for the court’s decision to grant bail, emphasizing that the ruling was a positive step towards upholding the rights of citizens to express their constitutional rights peacefully.
“It is important to allow individuals to participate in protests against corruption without fear of unjust detention,” Kiiza said.
Following the arrest of protesters, Chris Obore, the spokesperson for Parliament, noted that they recognize the concerns raised by the campaign and are committed to addressing them with transparency.
The protest was part of a larger movement against corruption in Uganda, which has seen significant public outcry due to high-profile corruption scandals involving government officials. Despite warnings from President Yoweri Museveni and the police against such demonstrations, many young Ugandans participated, leading to the arrests.
