Mumbere released on bail, ordered to stay away from Kasese

Jinja High Court has today granted bail to Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere following an agreement reached between the state and defence lawyers that his security shall be provided by the UPDF royal guard Brigade as his entitlement as a cultural leader.

Justice Micheal Elabu thereafter released Mumbere on a non-cash bond of sh100m together with his sureties who included his brother Chistopher Kyabazanga also the junior Agriculture minister and his former premier Constatine Bwambale.

Justice Elabu noted that courts are enjoined to promote reconciliation among parties,other than confrontation and that he finds the filed memorandum of understanding fair and reasonable.

The parties agreed that his movements remain restricted to only three districts of Wakiso, Kampala and Jinja and not to set foot in Kasese, Bundibugyo and Kabarole districts unless permitted by court.

The king is also to report to CID headquarters in Kampala and before the Jinja magistrates court once every month until he shall be committed to the trial court.

The parties also agreed that the king should have unlimited access to his lawyers, close relatives and doctors but must brief  his security detail to see any other visitors.

The state is at liberty to cancel this bail application if any of these terms is breached.

The Rwenzururu king was late last year picked up charged after over 100 people were killed when the army attacked his palace, accusing him of harboring people preparing to fight government.

Rwenzururu king Mumbere last month faced had other charges of multiple accounts of attempted murder, murder and terrorism were slapped against him. These according to the charge sheet arise out of clashes that happened between July and November 2016 at Bukara Village, Kabonero sub-county and at Nyabutsi village, Karangura sub-county in Kabarole District which left security operatives and civilians dead and others injured.

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editor@independent.co.ug