Court releases student jailed for sending love messages to MP Rwabwogo

The High Court in Kampala has released Brian Isiko, a student who was recently convicted of sending love messages to Kabarole Woman Member of Parliament, Sylivia Rwabwogo.

Isiko, 25, a student at YMCA Jinja branch was last month sentenced to two years imprisonment after being convicted of Cyber Harassment and Offensive Communication for sending love messages to the legislator but later applied for bail pending his appeal in the High Court.

On Friday,High Court judge Jane Francis Abodo ordered for Isiko's release on bail after convincing court that he would honor the terms given.

Abodo said the two sureties who included a UPDF reserve force commander for greater Mukono area and the deputy academic registrar for Kyambogo University were substantial to guarantee Isiko’s release.

“The prosecution alleged that he was not a first offender but the burden was on them to prove Isiko’s criminal record,”Justice Abodo said.

The judge however set stringent terms which included payment of shs500,000 in cash by Isiko as well as five million shillings(non cash) by each of the two sureties to be fulfilled before Isiko is released.

"You should not contact the complainant (Rwabwogo) in any way,” the judge warned.

"Failure to comply, you will be remanded again."

Justice Abodo also ordered Isiko to report to the court  deputy registrar every third Friday of the month starting with August 17.

Buganda Road grade one magistrate, Gladys Kamasanyu on July 10 sentenced Isiko to two years’ sentence for Cyber Harassment and Offensive Communication prompting a public uproar over the punishment.

Rwabwogo later cleared the air about the matter saying she feared for her life claiming that the 25 year old boy had been allegedly been used by some individuals to kill her.

“I endured fear and suffering due to those who sent Brian to trap and kill me. Nebanda was killed in such a way. I didn't have to wait to be killed, as a precautionary measure I had to seek the solace of authorities to protect myself, my family and constituents from horror,”Rwabwogo said in a statement.