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Kasese attacks: Court releases 6 juveniles on mandatory bail
A file photo of police officers carrying a casket containing a body of their colleague who died in the Kasese violence.
Jinja- Jinja Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday released on bail six juvenile suspects in connection with last year’s Kasese attacks, pending the hearing of the various offenses slapped against them.
The accused were released on what is legally referred to as “mandatory bail” after spending three months on remand without investigations being concluded.
Their release followed a spirited submission by their defense team comprised led by Caleb Alaka that the accused be released on bail since they have stayed on remand for more than three months.
Mr Alaka went quoted Section 91 of the Children’s Act and Section 20 of the Children’s Amendment Act of 2016 which he said gives juveniles a right to be unconditionally released on bail in capital offenses unless there is a serious danger on a child in case they are released.
“According to the Children’s Act, juveniles on remand should not exceed three months and their continued detention in prison will be illegal and we request for their released on bail…” Mr Alaka submitted.
Those released include; Phasimwa Lyahinda, Crispo Muhindo,Vincent Masereka, Dan Bwambale, Mbusa Bughura and Hamada Masereka.
The six are juveniles aged between 15-17.
The court presided over by Chief Magistrate John Francis Kaggwa handed the released juveniles to the Rwenzururu Kingdom Attorney General Mr Alfred Makasi for purposes of ensuring their attendance of court at the subsequent appearances.
The six accused now join their King Charles Wesley Mumbere and the Rwenzururu premier Johnson Thembo Kitsumbire who were recently granted bail.
They return to court on April 10 for mention of their case with the prosecution expected to update the court on how far the investigations have gone.
They are part of the 169 accused persons who are facing treason, terrorism, murder, aggravated robbery to malicious damage to property charges.
Most of the offenses that they are facing arose mainly from the November 27, 2016, joint police and army assault on Mumbere’s palace in Kasese Town aimed at capturing what they called wrong elements who had taken refuge there.
