Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate James Eremye Mawanda has granted political commentator Frank Gashumba and his brother Innocent Kasumba a Shillings 20 million non cash bail each.
The duo was paraded before court and charged with impersonation contrary to section 381 (1) of the penal code act, Cap 120, conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to section 390 of the penal code act, Cap 120, and unlawful possession of narcotic drugs contrary to section 4 (1)(2) of the narcotic psychotropic substances (control) act, 2016.
Gashumba presented three sureties including hon. Joseph Ssewungu, Musoke Emmanuel, former Kalungu LC5 chairman, and Ssebaggala Kigozi John. These were also asked to pay a 20m non cash bond.
Mawanda did not formerly charge the dual due to the absence of the prosecutors who are currently on strike; he asked them to return to court on 20th November.
Gashumba’s lawyer Nyombi Denis faulted the state for keeping his client in detention for more than mandatory 48 hours without presenting him before court.
Nyombi said this is a clear indication that many Ugandans are suffering in jail without being allowed a chance to make their case in courts of law.
He added that police has on several occasions denied them access to their clients since they were detained, have not had a lengthy talk with them, but the manner in which they were handled was illegal.
Ssewungu, who stood surety for Gashumba thanked the magistrate for releasing the latter, claiming he is only being harassed with trumped up charges.
“These are trumped up charges. I have been with Gashumba, we were born in the same village, we are in the same family, I have never seen him smoking. I smoked in school, I take beer, I don’t know Gashumba as a drunkard how do you bring such kind of accusation on him?” Ssewungu wondered.
