MASAKA — The High Court in Masaka has granted bail to four bodyguards attached to National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, who are facing charges arising from a confrontation at a burial ceremony in Lwengo District.
The four, Achilleo Kivumbi, Edward Ssebuwuufu alias Eddie Mutwe, Grace Wakabi alias Smart-wa Bobi and Gadhafi Mugumya, are charged with aggravated robbery, malicious damage to property and assault.
Masaka Senior Resident Judge Victoria Nakintu Katamba on Wednesday ordered each of the accused to pay Shs5 million in cash bail, while their respective sureties were required to execute non-cash bonds of Shs50 million.
The judge also directed the four to surrender their passports and report to the Deputy High Court Registrar on the first Monday of every month.
The accused have been on remand in connection with an incident that occurred in May 2024 during the burial of UK-based businessman Pascal Ssekasamba in Kisekka Sub-county, Lwengo District.
Prosecution alleges that the accused assaulted several people during the incident and damaged a video camera belonging to Zainabu Namusaazi, a journalist with Next Media Group.
They are also accused of damaging a smartphone belonging to Margret Kayondo, a correspondent with Radio Ssimba, stealing two other mobile phones valued at Shs200,000 and causing grievous bodily harm to three people.
The four returned to court seeking bail for the second time, represented by a legal team led by lawyer Elias Luyimabazi Nalukoola.
Their lawyers argued that the accused had spent a considerable period on remand without their trial commencing. They also told court that some of the accused have children and other dependants who have been affected by their continued detention.
The defence further submitted that Wakabi has a sick mother who needs his care.
Nalukoola told court that his clients were prepared to face trial but had remained in custody as they waited for the prosecution to commence calling its witnesses.
Each of the accused presented three sureties, including relatives, NUP legislators and local government leaders.
In granting bail, Justice Katamba cautioned that the Masaka High Court’s order only applies to the charges before her court and does not affect any other criminal proceedings the accused may be facing before other courts.
The ruling means that not all four accused may immediately walk out of prison.
NUP has said Kivumbi and Ssebuwuufu are also facing a separate case before the High Court in Kawempe and could therefore remain in custody despite being granted bail in Masaka.
According to the party, Mugumya and Wakabi could be released once the Shs10 million required for their bail is raised and paid.
Masaka City Mayor Florence Namayanja said the party would organise a fundraising drive to raise the Shs20 million required to secure bail for all four accused in the Masaka case.
NUP has also questioned the continued detention of Kivumbi and Ssebuwuufu in relation to the separate Kawempe case, which the party says involves allegations of unlawful drilling.
The four remain subject to the conditions imposed by the respective courts handling the cases against them.
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