Chief Justice Katureebe ‘defies’ Museveni on bail to murder suspects

The Chief Justice, Bart Katureebe has defied President Museveni’s directive in regards to denying bail to murder suspects and others on capital offences.

Speaking during the reading of the budget at Serena hotel on Thursday, Museveni ordered the Chief Justice that murder suspects should never be given bail adding that doing so is unacceptable.

“A person suspected of killing our people and you give him bond! No way. There are things I am not going to accept. I am not going to accept police bond, bail for killers is not acceptable,”Museveni noted.

However, Katureebe has responded to Museveni’s remarks saying the judiciary’s position on bail can only change when the law is amended.

“The issue of bail is governed by the Constitution and the law. Until the law is amended, bail will be granted or denied in accordance with the Constitution and the law,” said Katureebe in a statement on Friday evening.

He added, “Courts presume all accused persons are innocent until they are proven guilty in a trial and it is the very reason they have a right to apply for bail.”

According to the Chief Justice the courts have the discretion to grant or deny the bail applications by all suspects adding that the law provides adequate safeguards.

The courts according to Katureebe take into account a number of considerations including among others public safety before granting bail.

Speaking to Nile Post on Thursday, Manjiya County legislator, John Baptist Nambeshe said it was wrong for the president to make such ‘disparaging’ remarks in regards to bail and bond for suspects.

“We are all emotional but he (Museveni) was too emotional. Going by his remarks, it was not expected of someone who has led government for over 30 years,”Nambeshe told the Nile Post.

“He should know that one of the principals of good governance is constitutionalism and this emphasizes that a suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

Bail is a constitutional right enshrined in article 23(6) (a) for anyone to apply to be released on bail subject to legal requirements and conditions to be fulfilled before one is released.

A person charged with a capital offence including murder has the right to be released on bail if he or she has spent 180 days on remand before their committal to the High Court for trial but must fulfill legal requirements as set by the court.