Court Dismisses Bail Review Plea for NUP Spokesperson Mufumbiro, Cites Appeal to High Court

Chief Magistrate Doreen Ainembabazi of Kanyanya Court has rejected an application by National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy spokesperson Alex Mufumbiro and others seeking a review of their denied bail. The magistrate ruled that the Chief Magistrate’s Court lacks the jurisdiction to review bail decisions made by another magistrate.

Instead, Ainembabazi stated that the appropriate legal recourse for an unsuccessful bail application is to appeal the decision to the High Court. This ruling affirms the Grade One Magistrate’s initial judgment, which had refused bail based on concerns that the accused might interfere with prosecution witnesses, ongoing investigations, or the electoral process.

The defense had argued that the trial magistrate had wrongly exercised her discretion. However, Chief Magistrate Ainembabazi found that the magistrate had properly considered the evidence, noting inadequate sureties and insufficient supporting documents from the applicants. The court also acknowledged that the trial court had weighed all defense arguments, including the statutory period spent on remand.

Following the dismissal, defense lawyers announced their intention to appeal to the High Court. In a separate development, the prosecution indicated that 13 of the accused are interested in plea bargain negotiations. Defense lawyers objected to this, questioning how plea bargains could proceed if the case file had already been called for by the High Court. Chief Magistrate Ainembabazi directed the prosecution to follow proper legal procedures for plea bargains.

Mufumbiro and his co-accused face charges related to alleged unlawful military drills. Their legal team plans to challenge the bail denial at the High Court.

Source: Nile Post