NUP Members Bail Application Set
![nup-supporters-640x381 nup-supporters-640x381](https://eastafricanvanguard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/nup-supporters-640x381-1.webp)
By Our reporter
MAKINDYE – General Court Martial has set March 19th, 2024 for hearing of bail application for members of the National Unity Platform (NUP) accused of illegal procession of illegal arms.
Monday morning February 19th started off with journalists being shown an exit from the Court premises as 28 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters were being presented for a bail application hearing.
The accused have been on remand for the last three years.
The supporters, represented by Counsel Benjamin Katana, presented nine sureties, including eight Members of Parliament and a mayor, in a bid for release.
Katana expressed frustration at the prolonged detention since May 2021, decrying the delay in justice for the presumed innocent supporters.
“The presentation of nine sureties, eight of whom are Members of Parliament and a mayor, was made to court for a bail application for 28 people NUP supporters,” Counsel Katana said.
The court, responding to the prosecution’s demands, set March 19th as the hearing date to review the bail request.
The sureties led by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyoni, criticized the denial of journalists access, highlighting the public interest nature of the case.
“It was a matter of public interest which necessitated the media, therefore having them out was unnecessary,” Ssenyoni remarked.
He further denounced the court martial’s rejection of parents and relatives as sureties, mobilising NUP leaders to stand in their place.
“The court-martial had rejected the idea of parents and relatives of the NUP supporters standing in as sureties, citing that they were not substantial sureties, this reason is unacceptable,” Ssenyonyi added.
The sureties, comprising MPs Ssenyoni, Hellen Nakimuli, Kabanda, Goretti Namuga, David Aga Isabirye, Ronald Balimweso, Francis Zaake, Aloysius Mikasa, and Ali Nganda, stand ready to vouch for the detained NUP supporters as they await the bail hearing set for March 19.