Mabira murder suspects released
LYDIA MUKISA
KAMPALA
31st July 2007

Kampala - Court in Kampala yesterday released on bail four suspects in the murder of an Indian national during a demonstration against the proposed giveaway of part of Mabira Forest to the Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited.

Justice Caroline Okello made the ruling after listening to both the Director of Public Prosecutions and the suspects' lawyers.

"I order that the applicants be released on a non-cash bail of Shs10 million," she said. The suspects released were William Kasirye, a student of Datamine Business Institute, Rogers Kaiza Katanyoleka of Kawempe Jinja Kaloli, Francis Bbale and David Lukwago both of Kifumbira Kamwokya.

The four are charged with the murder of Devang Rawal. If found guilty, they face death by hanging.

They allegedly stoned Rawal to death near the Clock Tower during the April 12 demonstration, which also claimed four other lives. The demonstration, organised by environmentalists and some members of the opposition, began peacefully but later turned bloody after civilians clashed with the police. The demonstration was against President Museveni's proposal to give part of Mabira Forest to the Mehta owned Scoul for sugarcane growing.

Opposition members of Parliament Beatrice Anywar, Hussein Kyanjo and John Ken Lukyamuzi, an enviromentalist were subsequently arrested and are currently facing charges of participating in a riot.

After four months on remand, the four suspects applied for bail pending the disposal of the criminal charges against them.

The suspects through their lawyer Chrysestom Katumba told court that it is their Constitutional right to apply for bail.

Mr Katumba said his clients are responsible citizen and have permanent places of abode and substantial sureties.

Among the sureties are Erias Lukwago (MP Kampala Central), Joseph Balikuddembe (MP Busiro South), Charles Musoke Serunjogi (former LC3 Kampala Central Division) Judith Matovu (Councillor Kamwokya Parish ) and Eva Kyazike(Councilor Kampala Central Division).

State Attorney Andrew Odit did not oppose the application but asked court to give them stringent conditions, which will compel them to attend trial.

The suspects, who are in addition charged with participating in a riot, were each ordered to deposit three passport size photographs with the deputy registrar crime.

The suspects were also ordered to leave their fingerprints with the registrar and also report to him twice a month (on every second and fourth Tuesday).

They were ordered to keep reporting to the officer in charge of Kampala Central Police Station. Those who stood surety for the suspects were ordered to execute a bond of Shs5 million and deposit three passport size photographs with the deputy registrar crime.