Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere is temporarily a free man after Jinja High Court Judge Eva Luswata granted him bail this afternoon.
However, Mumber’s freedom is not as exclusive, since he is bound not to leave Uganda or even visit his royal palace in Kasese district.
In his December 2016 application, Mumbere pointed out that he has a constitutional right to bail, he has substantial sureties who were willing to stand for him and that he has fixed places of abode in Makindye, Kampala and Muyenga Cell, Nyakabingo II in Kasese district.
Initially, Principal State Attorney Ojok Alex had objected to the bail application arguing that releasing the accused would interfere with the progress in investigation, adding that Kasese district is still volatile and that such a move would trigger more attacks from Rwenzururu loyalists.
However, Justice Luswata dismissed the fears saying that the state is duty bound to protect its citizens from acts of aggression. She also dispelled fears that bailing Mumbere could intensify the volatility of the Rwenzori region adding that his sureties are prominent Ugandans and are enlightened enough to understand their obligation.
Ojok also submitted that the sureties, being Mumber’s subjects, cannot be relied upon to compel Mumbere to return to court.
But the Judge insisted Mumbere does not have any history of jumping bail and had presented a list of prominent Ugandans as his sureties including MPs Winnie Kiiza, William Nzoghu, Harold Muhindo, Robert Centenary and former Rwenzururu Prime Minister Constantine Bwambale.
Mumbere was ordered to sign a non-cash bond of 100 million Shillings. His sureties will also sign a non-cash bond of 100 million Shillings each. His movement is also restricted to the districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Jinja during the period of his trial.
He is also expected to appear in Jinja High court once every month starting February 17.
Mumbere together with over 150 Royal Guards is charged with terrorism, murder, aggravated robbery and attempted murder. He was arrested on November 27, 2016 following UPDF-led operations in Rwenzori region that culminated into the attack on the Palace of Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu