Justice Luswata dismissed a request by the Directorate of Public Prosecution which was presented before the same Court on Monday by Racheal Bikhole, to have Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere apply for bail only in the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala.
DPP had sought to block Mumbere’s application for Bail at the Jinja High Court claiming it has no jurisdiction to entertain the application, since it involves terrorism charges that can only be heard by the international crimes division.
This was however; overruled by Justice Luswata this morning who pointed out that her court has powers to grant bail to the applicant as may be deemed fit.
She also ruled that at this stage when the DPP has not yet committed Mumbere for trial before the ICD, the king can appear before any High Court judge for purposes of bail hearing. Adding that this is so because the Constitution gives the High Court unlimited jurisdiction to entertain all matters and therefore she doesn’t need to be designated as an ICD judge by the Principle Judge to hear this application.
The hearing is still ongoing.
Omusinga of Rwenzururu,Charles Wesley Mumbere,Bail application of the Omusinga,Justice Eva Luswata
