MP Akamba Rearrested on Bail as Namujju and Mutembuli Denied.
The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala, bail pleas of legislators Cissy Namujju and Yusuf Mutembuli were denied, while Busiki County MP Paul Akamba was granted bail, only to be re-arrested immediately afterward.
The court session was attended by Members of Parliament, commissioners, relatives, and friends of the three MPs, who face corruption charges. The accused were arrested on Monday for allegedly soliciting a 20 percent kickback from the budget of the Uganda Human Rights Commission.
Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro presided over the cases. MP Paul Akamba was granted bail after his sureties, fellow MPs Mariam Naigaga and Henry Kibalya, met the required conditions. Akamba was ordered to surrender his passport and post a cash bond of Shs13 million, with his sureties required to post a non-cash bond of Shs100 million each. However, outside the court, Akamba’s brief moment of freedom was abruptly ended when detectives re-arrested him amidst a scuffle and whisked him away.
In contrast, Lwengo Woman MP Cissy Namujju’s bail application was denied due to her failure to provide a letter confirming her residence, even though her sureties had met the necessary conditions. Similarly, Bunyole East MP Yusuf Mutembuli’s bail was rejected because one of his sureties, Minsa Namukose, failed to present a letter confirming her employment as a development officer in Mukono.
Following the court’s decisions, both Namujju and Mutembuli were remanded to Luzira Prison until June 17, when their cases will be revisited. The prosecution assured the court that investigations were complete and that they were ready to proceed with the trial at any time.
Outside the crowded court premises, relatives and friends of the accused gathered, listening intently to the proceedings. Supporters of the MPs expressed their disappointment over the denied bail applications, vowing to return on the next court date with all necessary requirements in check.
The courtroom bustled with tension as the three legislators entered the dock. While Akamba’s sureties successfully secured his temporary release, the re-arrest outside the court added a dramatic twist to the day’s events. The scene underscored the serious nature of the charges and the ongoing scrutiny faced by the accused.
As the court adjourned, Namujju and Mutembuli were taken back into custody, their supporters lining up to see their legislators. The courtroom, filled with anticipation and anxiety, witnessed a blend of relief and disappointment, setting the stage for the next hearing on June 17.