After weeks of trying to get bail in vain, Lt. Gen Henry Tumukunde has finally been granted non cash bail of shs50m this morning.
On Tuesday April 14 2020, the former security minister had presented four sureties in anticipation of his release from jail where he had been for close to a month.
However, the High Court in Kampala declined to grant bail to presidential hopeful, Rtd Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde before being further remanded to Luzira prison.
Tumukunde is currently facing charges of treason and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
In his brief ruling read out from Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court which is fitted with video conferencing gadgets, justice Wilson Kwesiga denied releasing Gen Tumukunde on bail for not furnishing court with substantial sureties with a consideration of his military background.
“In the instant case, the applicant (Gen Tumukunde) is a military general though retired. He is a man of substantial influence and he would have furnished court with sureties who would compel him to return for trial,” ruled justice Kwesiga.
“I am not able to approve the sureties presented. At least, there should have been two military officers at his rank or even at a higher rank with a letter of introduction from the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF),” he added.
Earlier today, court rescinded its decision of refusing to offer the General bail for failure to present serving Army personnel as sureties, giving him non cash bail of over Shs 50m.
Court has also considered his wife, brother, and friend Mathew Rukikaire as substantial sureties.