Journalists Arrested In March To Parliament Released on Bail

Journalists who were remanded to Luzira Prison on July 23 in relation to the March to Parliament have been released on bail.

The three journalists, including KFM’s Faiza Salima, former radio host Bernad Ewalu Elias Beewol, and City photojournalist Hamala Baron Edgar, were each awarded shs 200,000 cash bails. They were released alongside medical doctor Thomas Kanzira.

“I find the sureties substantial; the suspects have fulfilled the requirements for bail. I hereby release the accused persons on the following conditions: Each suspect is to execute a cash bail of shs 200,000. Their sureties are bonded on a non-cash bond of shs 500,000.” – Chief Magistrate Rita Neumbe.

However, court declined to release Aljab Musinguzi due to discrepancies in his documentation. Musinguzi was arrested alongside the four others in the Oasis Mall parking last Tuesday. As the others were preparing to march to Parliament, Musinguzi was going about his business.

The five were the first of over 100 individuals to be held in relation to the protests. They were briefly detained at Jinja Road Police Station before being charged with common nuisance plus idle and disorderly conduct.Last week, prosecution was led by Eunice Baine, who unceremoniously vacated the court premises.

The state made a change on Tuesday morning as Doreen Erima presented an amended charge sheet. In the amended charge sheet, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had advised the dropping of the idle and disorderly charge.

Before hearing their bail applications, Magistrate Neumbe dropped the idle and disorderly charge and maintained the common nuisance charge.

Prosecution alleges that the five and others still at large on July 23, 2024, at Oasis Mall Nakumatt in Kampala District, did an act of gathering together while shouting ‘Anite Among must resign’ and littering placards bearing the same words outside Oasis Mall Nakumatt, thereby causing annoyance, obstruction, or inconvenience to the public in the exercise of common rights.

Of the 104 individuals arrested in relation to the March to Parliament, only 15 have been granted bail. A group of others is expected at Buganda Road Court on Wednesday and Thursday.