Police in Kampala have intensified efforts to trace Isaac Tumushabe and Fokwija Mworobe who are on the run after allegedly breaching police bond conditions in a case related to homosexuality.
According to police records under SD Ref 26/04/2023 the suspects were granted police bond on May 20, 2023 with Maggie Nakabuye standing as surety for both individuals.
As part of the bond conditions Tumushabe and Mworobe were required to report to the Officer in Charge of the Criminal Investigations Directorate CID at Bugolobi Police Station on May 27, 2023 and to continue reporting as directed while investigations proceeded.
However, police say the suspects failed to comply with these conditions. It is alleged that they have both fled the country to unknown places.
Authorities have since listed both Tumushabe and Mworobe as wanted persons and say efforts to apprehend them are ongoing.
Under Ugandan law police bond is a temporary release granted to a suspect pending further investigations or court proceedings and it comes with strict conditions including mandatory reporting to police.
Legal experts note that breaching a police bond is a serious offence that carries significant consequences. Once a suspect fails to report as required police are authorized to issue a warrant of arrest.
The suspect may also forfeit the privilege of bond in the future making it more difficult to secure release if re arrested. Additionally, sureties such as Nakabuye in this case may face legal repercussions including being required to produce the suspect or risk penalties.
Failure to comply with bond conditions can also be interpreted as an attempt to evade justice which may negatively influence court decisions on bail and sentencing.
The case also comes amid Uganda’s strict legal stance on homosexuality where same sex relations are criminalized under existing laws with penalties ranging from lengthy imprisonment to life imprisonment in aggravated cases.
Police have maintained that enforcement of these laws is part of upholding the country’s legal framework. They have urged members of the public to report any information that could lead to the arrest of Tumushabe and Mworobe.
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