UGANDA: PEOPLES' REDEMPTION ARMY SUSPECTS GRANTED BAIL

UNCLAS KAMPALA 001242 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS ASEC PINS PHUM UG SUBJECT: UGANDA: PEOPLES' REDEMPTION ARMY SUSPECTS GRANTED BAIL BUT... REFERENCE: KAMPALA 2110 KAMPALA 0689 KAMPALA 0367 KAMPALA 1089 KAMPALA 1122 -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. The High Court in Arua finally granted bail to seven suspected Peoples Redemption Army (PRA) rebels currently facing murder charges. The suspects were returned to jail after failing to raise adequate bail funds. The suspects are part of the group charged with treason alongside Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) opposition leader Kizza Besigye. The granting of bail is a positive development considering that the State has on several occasions blocked the release of the suspects. Two other suspects of the same group remain in jail in Bushenyi District. End Summary -------------- Suspects Granted Bail -------------- ¶2. On July 30, the High Court in Arua granted bail to seven suspected PRA susects who were facing murder charges. The suspects were on remand for five months. They were, however, taken back to prison after they failed to raise USD 1,208 each as part of the bail agreement The suspects are part of the 22 charged with treason alongside FDC opposition leader Besigye. ¶3. Defense counsel told Emboff that when the bail money is fully paid, only five of them, who earlier secured bail in respect to the treason case, will be released. The rest will have to wait until their bail application for release in the treason case is heard by the High Court in Kampala. The bail conditions also require the suspects to report to the criminal department in the district twice a month, beginning August 6. The suspects were also ordered to report to the registrar at Arua High court once a month. In addition, each suspect is required to provide sign two bond guarantees valued at USD 6,042. ¶4. On March 1, the suspects were re-arrested in a security operation at the High Court in Kampala. On March 2 they were flown to Arua to be charged with the murder of Lt. Mawa, a Uganda Peoples Defense Force (UPDF) officer which took place on October 21, 2003 at Alube Village in Koboko District. The suspects deny the charge. -------------- Two Suspects Remain in Jail -------------- ¶5. Meanwhile, two other PRA suspects of the same group appeared for their bail hearing in Mbarara High Court on July 26. The suspects were charged with the murder of John Byarugaba in Bushenyi in 2002. Defense counsel told Emboff that the judge declined to grant bail on the basis that the prosecution indicated to the court that its investigation of the case is almost complete. The judge would review the decision to determine whether to grant bail on August 8. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. The defense attorneys said they are pleased with the Court's ruling. They believe the Judge, originally from the district, is acting reasonably. The attorneys added that bail was not set too high for the suspects. End Comment. BROWNING 1