The Kanyanya Chief Magistrate’s Court has dismissed an application by National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy Spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro and his co-accused seeking a review of an earlier decision that denied them bail.
Chief Magistrate Doreen Ainembabazi ruled that the court lacks jurisdiction to review a bail decision made by another magistrate, advising the accused to pursue an appeal before the High Court instead.
The ruling upheld the decision by Grade One Magistrate Damalie Agumasiimwe, who earlier declined to grant bail after finding that releasing the accused could interfere with witnesses, ongoing investigations, and the electoral process.
The court also maintained that the accused had failed to present credible sureties and that some of the documents submitted in support of their bail application were insufficient.
During the hearing, the defence argued that the accused had already spent the mandatory six months on remand, which they said amounted to changed circumstances warranting a fresh consideration of their bail request.
However, Chief Magistrate Ainembabazi said the previous court had considered all the arguments presented before exercising its discretion to deny bail.
Following the dismissal of the application, the defence team applied for certified copies of the court proceedings to enable them to file an appeal before the High Court.
The prosecution also informed court that 13 of the accused persons had expressed interest in entering plea bargain negotiations.
However, the defence objected to the process, citing uncertainty over the status of the case file after it was reportedly called for by the High Court.
In response, Chief Magistrate Ainembabazi directed the prosecution to first comply with the legal procedures governing plea bargain negotiations before proceeding.
Defence lawyer Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa said they intend to challenge the ruling before the High Court on July 21, arguing that the court failed to properly consider circumstances that had changed since the initial bail hearing.
Mufumbiro and his co-accused are facing charges of alleged unlawful military drills, allegations they have denied.
By Edith Namwanje
10th July 2026
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