The High Court freed Enock Tumwesigye on bail after he spent over four years locked up under army court control. Judge Isaac Muwata ordered a cash payment of 2 million shillings for release. Each person who stood as surety needed to provide 10 million shillings in non-cash bonds. The judge pointed out many broken constitutional rights in his decision.
Muwata said keeping someone detained for 1,500 days without trial through a court that lacks proper authority clearly abuses the legal process. This release follows a Supreme Court ruling that declared military courts cannot try civilians. That earlier decision directed such cases to be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions instead. The judge stated that unconstitutional military court actions cannot limit bail rights.
Authorities first arrested Tumwesigye in Rubanda district on murder charges back in September 2019. The prosecution later withdrew these charges. Law enforcement arrested him again in January 2021. The military court charged him with the same murder claims despite his civilian status. The prosecution argued against his release, claiming a flight risk, but failed to provide evidence.
Muwata said keeping someone detained for 1,500 days without trial through a court that lacks proper authority clearly abuses the legal process. This release follows a Supreme Court ruling that declared military courts cannot try civilians. That earlier decision directed such cases to be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions instead. The judge stated that unconstitutional military court actions cannot limit bail rights.
Authorities first arrested Tumwesigye in Rubanda district on murder charges back in September 2019. The prosecution later withdrew these charges. Law enforcement arrested him again in January 2021. The military court charged him with the same murder claims despite his civilian status. The prosecution argued against his release, claiming a flight risk, but failed to provide evidence.
