FDC Katonga to challenge bail guidelines in Constitutional Court

FDC Katonga faction president and lawyer, Erias Lukwago has vowed to petition the constitutional court challenging the 2022 bail guidelines as passed by Chief Justice Owiny Dollo.

This as Buganda Road court granted a non-cash bail of shs1 million to each of the nine FDC supporters arrested recently and charged with being a common nuisance.

The accused were asked to first present their National Ids and letters of introduction from their respective LCs which Lukwago found inappropriate.

“We need to revoke this now because it is going to be used against political figures especially in the upcoming 2026 elections heat up yet it is not practical at all,” Lukwago said.

On Monday, 14 FDC Katonga members, including three MPs, appeared before Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court.

They faced charges related to their alleged disruptive actions while attempting to stage an unlawful procession to the Kenyan High Commission in Kampala. The protest was meant to address the arrest of 36 FDC members in Kisumu, Kenya.

While five suspects, including Kaija Harold, MPs Kamara Nicholas, Semujju Nganda, Nangozi Faridah, and Deputy Mayor Njajura Doreen, were released on bail, nine individuals were initially remanded to Luzira Prison.

These nine subsequently appeared before Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi for a bail hearing, presenting two sureties each.

"The prosecution did not object to the bail application," said a court source.

"However, the court faced difficulties in granting bail immediately due to the lack of LC1 letters and National IDs, which are required by bail guidelines."

Later, Chief Magistrate Kayizzi granted bail on the condition that each accused must present their LC1 letter or ID for the bail application to be processed.

"We have granted bail with the requirement that the applicants must provide their LC1 letters or IDs," Kayizzi stated.

The case is scheduled for further mention on September 4, 2024.

Erias Lukwago, the  lawyer for the accused, expressed concerns about the bail guidelines.

"The guidelines for bail are proving to be quite problematic. We need to challenge these prerequisites in the Constitutional Court," Lukwago commented.

Prosecution alleges that on July 14, the accused engaged in disruptive behavior on Katonga Road, blocking pathways and creating a public nuisance.

This was in response to the arrest and extradition of 36 FDC members by Kenyan authorities, who are currently detained in Luzira Prison on terrorism charges.

The situation remains tense as the FDC Katonga faction prepares to challenge the bail guidelines that they argue are unfairly restrictive.