Journalists blocked from covering NUP supporters’ bail hearing session

By Rachael Najjuma

13^th Feb 2023

Media has been prohibited from covering the hearing of the bail session of the 32 NUP supporters who are charged with illegal possession of explosive devices at court Martial Makindye.

This has followed a prayer from the state prosecution where the state highlighted that in the premises of keeping public order, the bail application should be heard in camera due to the conduct of one of the accused Muhydin Kakooza.

George Musisi the counsel to the accused tried to object to the prayer sighting article 28 of the constitution which provides for a fair hearing of the accused however the chairman Brigadier Freeman Mugabe concurred with state contending that in the last court session Kakooza behaved so badly insulting the panel probably because he was influenced by the appearance of the media thus stopping media from covering the hearing.

This is the second time the group is seeking bail before the same chairman who denied the first attempt on four grounds which included; the offense is of a serious nature, the surieties weren’t substantial, the accused have no substantial places of aboard and that they are likely to interfere with the investigations if released.

Meanwhile the matter has been adjourned to the 6th march 2023 after state asking for time to peruse through the bail documents which they contend were served to them very late.

Prosecution accuses Ssegujja Rashid and 31 others of being found in illegal possession of 13 explosive devices, which are ordinarily the monopoly of the defense forces.

According to the prosecution, the suspects committed the offenses between November 2020 and May 2021 in Jinja, Mbale, Kireka, Nakulabye, Kawempe, Natete, and Kampala Central.