By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA:
President Yoweri Museveni has lashed out at courts of law for constantly releasing on bail people suspected to have committed grave offences such as murder.
Museveni in a brief statement on Saturday, described the release on bail as “a provocation” and “abominable.”
“It is abominable. I would like us to cure this ideological disagreement. This bail, what is the hurry? Who are you trying to please?” says Museveni.
He threatened to call for a national referendum to change the law on bail.
“I would like us to cure this ideological disagreement. This bail, what is the hurry? Who are you trying to please?”
“We are going to work on this. I am going to summon the NRM caucus and if necessary, we put it to a referendum. With this provocation, people will take the law into their hands.”
Museveni’s comments follow few days ago when court granted bail to two opposition MPs; Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West) and Muhammad Ssegirinya (Kawempe North) who were arrested in connection to the murders in the Greater Masaka area .
The duo were later this week granted bail. Following the release on bail however, Security officers on Thursday evening rearrested Hon Ssewanyana at the gate of Kigo Prison.
The UPDF later told media that Hon Sewanyana was rearrested on other offences unrelated to the Masaka killings.
It should be recalled that president Museveni has long opposed the right to bail for persons suspected to have committed serious crimes like murder, terrorism among others.
In 2018, then Chief Justice Bart Katureebe responded to Museveni’s call about the same saying the issue of bail is governed by the Constitution and the law.
Justice Katureebe said murder suspects can only be denied bail if the Constitution is amended. He also indicated that judges and magistrates at all levels will continue releasing suspects on bail as long as they meet the requirements.
What the law says;
Article 23(6) of the national constitution grants that; “Where a person is arrested in respect of a criminal offence-
(a) the person is entitled to apply to the court to be released on bail and the court may grant that person bail on such conditions as the court considers reasonable.”
