COVID-19 Blocks Gen. Tumukunde’s Bail Application
Former Security Minister Lt. General Henry Tumukunde will have to wait until the end of the current lockdown for the High Court Criminal Division to hear his bail application.
Justice Wilson Kwesiga, the head of the High Court’s criminal division ruled this morning that he couldn’t hear the application because the lockdown has affected several court processes due to movement restrictions.
He, therefore, said that the release of Tumukunde can as well wait in order to prevent regrettable health incidents, which may occur.
Kwesiga also directed Tumukunde to get substantial sureties who are above his army rank or at the same rank when he returns to court for the hearing.
Tumukunde asked to present at least two serving army officers above rank or at the same rank with clearance from the UPDF Chief of Staff when he returns to court for the hearing.
The sureties will be required to secure authorisation letters from the UPDF chief of staff allowing them to stand surety for Tumukunde.
He had earlier presented his wife Stella Tumukunde, his brother, Hannington Karuhanga and opposition politicians Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu – the national coordinator of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) party and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) vice president Salaam Musumba as his sureties.
Tumukunde is battling one count of treason and two counts related to illegal possession of firearms. The prosecution alleges that on March 5, 2020, while appearing the Morning Breeze program on the Kamwokya based NBS TV, Tumukunde uttered statements calling for an unlawful change of the legitimate Government of Uganda.
He reportedly said, “If I was a neighbouring country, I would wish to support people who want to cause a change in Uganda. ” This according to the prosecution was aimed at instigating the Republic of Rwanda to invade Uganda to cause an unlawful change of Government.
The prosecution also alleges that on March 13 while at Impala Avenue in Kampala District, Tumukunde was found in illegal possession of an AK 47 rifle Registration number and Star Pistol Registration number EL 860030.
