UGANDA –  18 handcuffed Bobi Wine supporters react after arriving at the army court in Makindye, Kampala. They were arrested on December 30, 2020 and remanded to prison on allegations of illegal possession of four rounds of ammunition, which offence the state says was committed on January 3, 2021.

After spending close to five months on remand, at least 18 out of 30 supporters of former presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, were Tuesday released on bail by the General Court Martial in Makindye, Kampala.

While releasing the 18 on their third attempt to apply for bail, the chairman of the court, Lt Gen Andrew Gutti, said he had found merit in their application after the State prosecutor did not object to their bail.

“After listening to submissions for both counsel, this court has deliberated on the application and finds as follows; the applicants have the right to apply for bail, offense is billable, the sick mentioned need treatment outside prison and the sureties presented were substantial,” Gen Gutti said.

He added: “In the result, this court finds merit in the application of the 14 applicants not objected by the respondent (State), plus the four applicants that need treatment; are hereby granted bail…”chairman Gutti ruled.

Some of those released are; Robinson Mudde Ntambi, Stanley Kafuko, Ssekiranda Samson aka Giant, Robert Katumba, Faisal Kigongo, Musa Mulimira, Mutumba Sam, Mukasa Hussein and Sunday John Bosco.

Others were; Matovu Adam, Charles Mpaga, Najja Sharifa, and Nsubuga Muhammad, who were released on medical grounds to get treatment that they could not get from detention.