Court in Arua has granted Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament Francis Zaake Butebi bail after he was arrested in Kampala. He appeared before Arua Grade One Magistrate, Daniel Lubowa and charged with escape from lawful custody.
Zaake was arrested at Clock Tower in Kampala last night by plain-clothed police officers who immediately took him to Central Police Station (CPS) Kampala where he spent the night.
The MP allegedly refused to report for a bond extension on December 5, 2018, claiming he was admitted at Lubaga Hospital and was scheduled to travel to India for further treatment. Even after his return however, Zaake still did not report as expected.
Mike Chibita, the director of Public Prosecution had sanctioned charges of treason and escaping from lawful custody against him. This dates back to 13th August 2018 in Arua when Zaake and other MPs were accused of causing havoc when they showed up to campaign for Kasiano Wadri.
They were accused of leading a group of hooligans who attacked the presidential convoy and stoned one of the vehicles.
Now, the MPs and their co-accused appeared before court. Zaake was granted a UGX50m non-cash bail. His case was also adjourned to March 22, 2019 when he will return to court.
Meanwhile, minutes after bail was granted, Zaake was re-arrested by officers who now whisked him to Gulu. It is remembered that his co-accused also appeared before Gulu High Court and were grated bail. They still travel there to report as part of the Bail conditions.
