THE High Court has declined to grant bail to 23 suspects charged with terrorism in connection to riots over the Kabaka’s visit to Kayunga in September last year.
Justice Benjamin Kabiito yesterday dismissed a bail application by the suspects. The suspects were remanded to Luzira Prison pending their trial in the High Court.
“No court would release on bail a person indicted on serious charges unless it was confirmed that the accused will be present to stand trial. No trial can take place when the accused person has absconded,” Kabiito said.
Principal State Attorney Charles Kaamuli said the suspects, on September 10 last year, for purposes of influencing the Government for social gain, indiscriminately without regard to safety of people and property, set fire to buildings at Nateete, a Kampala suburb.
Kaamuli said the suspects burnt Nateete Police Station, vehicles and motorcycles parked at the station. Prosecution said they committed the offences with others still at large.
Under the Anti-Terrorism Act, any person found guilty of the offence is liable to death.
Kaamuli said the suspects do not have permanent places of abode where they can be traced if they abscond the trial and that their sureties cannot compel them to attend court.
Chrisestom Kitumba, the lawyer representing the suspects, had argued that they would not abscond because they had substantial sureties.
A total of 14 people died during the riot in Kayunga district as the Banyala, a minority group opposed to the Kabaka’s visit, protested, saying the Kabaka should have sought permission from their leader.
