FDC’s famous pastor Happy Ngabo, Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, Dr. Stella Nyanzi and 29 other Forum for Democratic Change-FDC party supporters have been released on bail.
The suspects appeared before the Makindye Grade One magistrate George Watyekere, on Wednesday afternoon and were charged with disobeying lawful court orders following their arrest on Tuesday morning at the FDC party headquarters in Najjankumbi where they had turned up for the infamous Black Tuesday prayers.
Prosecution alleges that the suspects; Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Pastor Ngabo, Dr. Stella Nyanzi, Mutibwa Fred, Nabakoza Rema, Katende Sulaiman, Tugumisiriza Junior, Kabayira Phiona, Kizito Livingstone, Muhereza Ronald, Tugume Bosa, Mpindi Ahmed, Ahmed Serujonji, Mushebe Simon, Wesoga Samuel, Asiimwe Victor, Dr. George Okweri, Zuwa Mustafa, Akakwatsa Anaclet, Buhibwe Joan, Mbabazi Jackie, Namusabi Harriet, Damba Abdul Karim, Muhereza Godfrey, Bukenya Denis, Wante Jamal, Pastor Serujonji Edward, Jurgens Mushabe, Deo Kizito, Joel Bbosa, Obed Sserunjogi showed up for the prayers in defiance of the Constitutional Court order issued by the Deputy Chief Justice, Steven Kavuma on Friday 29th April banning all activities under the FDC defiance campaign.
The order was in response to an application by the Deputy Attorney General, Mwesigwa Rukutana, claiming that the defiance campaign is inconsistent with articles 1 (1), 1 (3), 1 (4), 2 (1) and 3 (1) of the constitution.
The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges and applied for bail through their lawyer, Medard Ssegona, who told court that his clients had been denied food since they were arrested on Tuesday and detained in different police cells, yet some of them have health problems.
The Makindye Grade One magistrate George Watyekere, granted the accused bail at Shillings 5 million not cash, while each surety executed a non-cash bond of Shillings 20 million.
They will return to court on May 18th for hearing of their case since investigations are complete.
