The General Court Martial in Makindye has released on bail Edward Ssebuwufu alias Eddy Mutwe, Ali Bukenya alias singer Nubian Li, Dan Magic and 16 other National Unity Platform principal (NUP) supporters who were arrested last year in Kalangala district.
“All our comrades who were arrested last year from Kalangala have been released on bail. These have spent six months while under detention for no crime whatsoever. Thanks to our legal team and everyone who has worked tirelessly to ensure these comrades regain their freedom,” NUP said in a statement on Monday.
They have been granted a non cash bail of UShs 20 million each.
In December last year, police in Kalangala arrested 124 people in Kalangala district where Bobi Wine had gone to seek for support ahead of the concluded January presidential elections.
They were later arraigned before the Masaka and Kalangala magistrate court which set them free but to their disdain only 88 were released.
The remaining 36 supporters were early this year arraigned before General Court Martial and leveled with charges of illegal possession of four rounds of ammunition.
They through their lawyers led by Mr Benjamin Katana and Joseph Turyamusiima, applied for bail. Few of the members were bailed out whereas others including Bono Wine’s Bodyguard Eddy Mutwe, Nubian Li, Dan Magic and 16 others were denied bail on grounds that they would continue to incite violence if released.
It is alleged that on January 3, at Makerere Kavule Kigundu zone, the group was found in possession of four rounds of ammunition which is a monopoly of the Defense Forces.
However, at the time of the said offence, most of the suspects were in Kitalya Prison where they had been remanded by Masaka chief magistrates Court in December last year.
Speaking to journalists shortly after granting the bail, Joel Ssenyonyi, the Nakawa West area Member of Parliament also NUP spokesperson welcomed the group vowing to ensure that all political prisoners of the January 14th election are set free.
“While this is a sigh of relief, we still have to press on in demanding for the release of all political prisoners held in different prisons across the country.” Ssenyonyi said.
