The Anti-Corruption Court on Friday granted legislators Michael Mawanda and Paul Akamba bail.
Whereas Akamba, the Busiki MP, was whisked off to a waiting vehicle for fear of being re-arrested again, Mawanda, the Igara East MP, stayed around and made a strong vow before his fans. “I have resurrected, and I will start from where I stopped,” he said amid chants.
Mawanda was arrested on June 19 after a police investigation found him culpable in a Shs7 billion corruption case related to cooperative war loss compensation.
His arrest caused a furore in the higher echelons of power, notably, from the Commander of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who voiced his frustration on social media.
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My friend, Michael Mawanda, is in prison (and they think we shall stay quiet forever) while people who have stolen from this country for decades are still ministers?” General Muhoozi posted.
In another post, he said: “He was taken to prison by some politically dilapidated people in NRM for the ‘great crime’ of supporting Muhoozi Kainerugaba in Bushenyi. That’s his only crime. Supporting me. Free Mawanda!”
Mawanda is one of the leaders of Patriotic League Uganda, or PLU, a civic organisation led by Gen. Muhoozi.
Mawanda, Akamba, and city lawyer Julius Kirya Taitankoko were released under stringent bail conditions of sh35m cash. The court imposed a Shs50 million non-cash bond for the sureties.
The accused were also specifically instructed not to interfere with witnesses or ongoing investigations, with the judge warning that any violation of these conditions could result in the revocation of their bail.
Akamba, who was dramatically re-arrested outside court after being granted bail in June, left the court premises at the speed of greased lightning.
In her ruling, Judge Kajuga emphasised that the decision to grant bail was in line with the constitutional rights of the accused, while also balancing the need to ensure that justice is served.
