The Anti-Corruption Court today Friday granted bail to legislators Michael Mawanda and Paul Akamba, allowing them to be released from prison for a limited period of time.
Together with lawyer Julius Kirya Taitankoko, they were freed under strict bail terms.
For each of the accused, Justice Jane Kajuga imposed a cash bail of Shs35 million.
A Shs50 million non-cash bond was also imposed by the court for the sureties, who are in charge of making sure the accused honors all bail requirements.
Among these requirements are giving up their passports to the court and being required to report to the court registry every two weeks.
Additionally, the accused were given explicit instructions not to obstruct witnesses or existing investigations, and the judge threatened to revoke their bail if they disregarded these orders.
Mr. Akamba can now enjoy that brief freedom after being unexpectedly re-arrested outside of court in June after being granted bail.
In her decision, Judge Kajuga emphasized that the choice to issue bail was made in accordance with the accused’s fundamental rights while also striking a balance with the requirement to guarantee that justice is done.
But the bail relief came exactly two weeks after the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, criticised Mr Mawanda’s charges and incerceration, claiming that the Igara East MP was being persecuted.
Mawanda was arrested on June 19 after a police investigation found him culpable in a Shs7 billion corruption case related to cooperative war loss compensation.
