10 NUP Supporters Granted Bail After Arrest During Kyagulanyi’s Blocked Visit

10 supporters of the National Unity Platform-NUP have been granted bail. They were arrested last week while preparing for the visit of NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi.

Kyagulanyi was slated to preside over a consultative meeting at Kananage Primary School.  However, it was blocked by police, leading to a confrontation with NUP supporters. Police officers fired teargas and live bullets to disperse Kyagulanyi’s supporters.

Police officers arrested 13 supporters led by Juma Rahmah, their central Uganda women coordinator, who had insisted on pitching camp at the grounds despite the police’s resolve to disperse them. They were later remanded to Kamuli Prison on charges of inciting violence and disobedience of lawful orders.

On Wednesday, the Kamuli Chief Magistrate, Aisha Nabukeera granted a cash bail of 100,000 Shillings each, while, the 26 sureties were charged with a non-cash bond of Five Million Shillings each.

Three supporters were however not granted bail because they lacked national identity cards. But, their lawyer, Samuel Akalyamawa argued that the court had been informed that the three had lost their national identity cards.

While appearing before the court for their bail applications, the accused persons stated that they were brutally arrested and sustained serious injuries requiring urgent treatment.

Rashid Waibi, a citizen journalist who was streaming live the proceedings at Kananage primary school said that a teargas canister had been hurled at him causing injuries on his left pelvic area, and has never accessed any form of medical treatment.

Nabukeera granted bail to the accused persons because bail is their constitutional right and the offenses against them are bailable. The case was adjourned to June 28th.