Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere wants the International Crimes Division of High Court to relax his bail terms and conditions.
He made the request while appearing before Justice Margaret Oumo Oguli on Monday in fulfillment of one of his bail conditions.
Mumbere was arrested on November 27th, 2016 together with 203 royal guards following a military raid on his palace in Kasese district.
He was arraigned in court on 41 charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery and aggravated robbery among others before he was remanded to prisons.
He applied for bail in high court, which was granted by Justice Eva Luswata on January, 13th, 2017.
As part of the bail conditions, Justice Luswata restricted Mumbere’s movements to Kampala, Jinja and Wakiso Districts. She also directed him to report to court once each month until the matter is disposed of.
But this afternoon, Mumbere who appeared in court dressed in a white African Shirt escorted by dozens of his subjects signed an affidavit seeking court to relax his bail conditions.
In the Affidavit, Mumbere wants court to review the bail conditions such that he can have the liberty to move across the country since his security has been tightened.
“Whereas the Government of the Republic of Uganda is doing a good job of securing me, I would also wish that her stringent conditions on ground be relatively relaxed to enable my subjects and visitors access me at my place of residence”, the affidavit reads in part.
Mumbere also says that “the security dynamics obtaining at the time of his bail grant especially concerning security have changed and that the situation in Kasese and surrounding Districts is calm and reportedly under the control of security forces.”
Through Alfred Makasi, the Attorney General of Rwenzururu Kingdom, Mumbere says the state has had enough time to conclude its investigations, adding that even if the trial was to start now he is uncertain on when it will elapse.
“Flexible bail conditions allowing me to visit the Districts compromising my kingdom would mitigate the adverse effects of a delayed trial on my health, work and kingdom”, he said.
He also wants court to allow him to report to the nearest court Registry before him. Makasi spoke to local news agency URN about Mumbere’s plea.
Makasi said they intend to write to the Director of Public Prosecutions to see how they can bring together Mumbere’s co- accused currently held in Mbarara, Fort Portal, Jinja and Luzira prisons such that they can be prosecuted under one file since the facts of the case are similar.
URN
