Kayihura’s co-accused released on bail

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The General Court Martial granted bail to four other suspects jointly charged with the former Inspector General of Police General Edward Kale Kayihura for abetting and aiding the kidnap of Rwandan refugees.

The suspects are the former Deputy Commandant of the Professional Standards Unit Richard Ndaboine, Assistant Superintendent of Police Patrick Muramira, Assistant Superintendent of Police Jonas Ayebaza and Detective Constable Abel Kitagenda-from the Police Flying Squad Unit.

The General Court Martial Chairperson, Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti released the four suspects yesterday on a non-cash bond of 20 million Shillings each following their bail application hearing on Monday. He bonded each of their sureties at  20 million Shillings.

In his ruling, Gen, Gutti noted that the offenses against the applicants are bailable, adding that they had also presented substantial sureties. He also noted the applicants had satisfactorily proved that they have permanent places of aboard and thus qualify to be granted bail.

However, Gen. Gutti directed the suspects not to go beyond Wakiso and Kampala districts without court permission. He also directed them to report to the Court Martial Registrar every Wednesday each month after fourteen days and be available whenever required by the court.

The prosecution alleges that the accused persons issued guns to unauthorized groups of people including Boda Boda 2010 members led by their patron, Abdullah Kitatta kidnapped and illegally repatriated Jackson Kalemera and Lt. Joel Mutabazi, the former bodyguard of Rwandan President, Paul Kagame who had sought asylum in Uganda.

Mutabazi was reportedly kidnapped from Kamengo in Mpigi district on September 25th 2013 and forcefully taken to Rwanda by the accused persons from where he was charged with a number of offences related to terrorism, murder, spreading rumours with intentions inciting the Public to rise against the Kigali government among others.

He was subsequently stripped of his military ranks and handed a life sentence by the Military Court in Rwanda.  However, the applicants who are facing similar charges with ten others pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Their co-accused include former IGP, Kale Kayihura, former head of the Special Operations Unit, Nixon Agasirwe, former Director of Crime Intelligence Col. Atwooki Ndahura, former Commandant of Police Professional Standards Unit, Senior Commissioner of Police, Joel Aguma, former Flying Squad Commander, Herbert Muhangi and ASP James Magadda.

Others are Faisal Katende and Sergeant Abel Tumukunde from the Flying Squad, Rwandan National, Rene Rutagungira who was released recently after the DPP withdrew charges against him and Bahati Mugenga, a Congolese National.

Last week, President Yoweri Museveni and his Rwandan Counterpart, Paul Kagame resolved in the Angolan Capital, Luanda among many issues the release of prisoners whose offences could be affecting the relations of the two States.

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