RBuganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi has granted bail to seven activists accused of causing a public nuisance. The activists Godwin Toko, George Victor Otheino, Agather Atuhaire, Mubala Akram Obed, Soita Khatondi Wepukulu, Aloikin Praise Opoloje, and Norah Kobusinge were apprehended on Thursday while protesting the trial of civilians in the military court.
The group had planned to march to the Supreme Court, voicing opposition to what they called the “abuse of power” and “military rule.” Dressed in black and grey T-shirts bearing slogans like “Stop Military Rule” and “Judiciary on Trial,” the activists were intercepted along Square Road in Kampala, near the High Court. The prosecution alleged that their actions disrupted traffic and posed a potential risk to public safety.
Represented by lawyers George Musisi and Abubaker Ssekanjako, the accused pleaded not guilty and requested bail. Their legal team argued that the activists were law-abiding citizens with credible sureties and deserved temporary release.
However, State Attorney Ivan Kyazze opposed the bail application, claiming the sureties provided were inadequate. He pointed out that many of the sureties presented Local Council (LC) letters tied to Makerere University Business School (MUBS), yet none of them were verified students or employees of the institution. Kyazze further questioned the residency of one surety, former Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza, alleging she did not live within MUBS premises.
In his ruling, Magistrate Kayizzi acknowledged the need for proper documentation as outlined in the Chief Justice’s Bail Guidelines. He directed that the required identification and residence verification documents be presented at the next hearing. Despite this, he found the sureties substantial enough to grant bail.
Each of the accused was released on a one million shillings non-cash bail. Magistrate Kayizzi noted that it was too late in the evening for bank transactions to be processed and scheduled the next court appearance for further proceedings.
The activists’ protest had been sparked by the recent arrest and conviction of lawyer Eron Kiiza by the Court Martial, a move they described as unjust and emblematic of the misuse of judicial power.