FDC protests tough bail conditions in Karamoja iron sheets scandal
The Anti-Corruption Court granted a Shs10 million cash bail to the State Minister for Finance and Economic Planning Amos Lugoloobi, as well as the Minister in charge of Karamoja Affairs Mary Gorreti Kitutu.
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has asked that the legal fraternity needs to condemn the state under which the court denied the husband of Mary Goretti Kitutu from standing surety for his wife based on financial statements.
The FDC spokesperson John Kikonyogo told a press conference on Monday that exorbitant bail fees are being slapped against ministers charged in relation to the Karamoja iron sheets scandal.
“The requirement of depositing a land title, seven sureties, and Shs30 million is too harsh for any Ugandan. Denying bail to suspects by giving tough bail terms would not only violate their constitutional rights but also undermine the principles of justice and fairness,” he said.
Kikonyogo explained that the ministers may be on the wrong side as far as it is concerned but the judiciary has to be very careful because whatever precedent it is setting in court may apply to anyone tomorrow.
The opposition political party notes that bail reiterated is a fundamental right as indicated under article 23(6) of the 1995 constitution. As a political party, FDC believes in Article 28 of Uganda’s supreme law which presumes any suspect is innocent until proven guilty.
President Yoweri Museveni has many times re-echoed his desire for bail to be scrapped, a proposal the FDC resists.
“The bail conditions should not be punitive and should not place an undue burden on the accused or their sureties. Constitutionally, bail conditions are meant to ensure that the accused person shows up for their court hearings and does not pose a threat to public safety or commit further crimes while awaiting trial,” Kikonyogo said.
So far 3 ministers have appeared in court on charges related to misappropriating Karamoja iron sheets, however, only 2 have managed to get bail.
The Anti-Corruption court granted a Shs10 million cash bail to the State Minister for Finance and Economic Planning Amos Lugoloobi, as well as the Minister in charge of Karamoja Affairs Mary Gorreti Kitutu.
