On Thursday, the Kabale Chief Magistrates Court charged and granted bail to three individuals accused of threatening violence against the Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Ronald Bakak. The incident occurred on May 21, 2024, at the Kabale district headquarters in Central Division of Kabale Municipality.
The accused, Burera Aphsa, Mukakigeri Vasitina, and Nyamurwana Charles, appeared before RDC Bakak to resolve a land dispute involving their relatives, Agnes Mukamanzi and Bizimungu Moses Kewell, from Kanyakyiriro Cell, Nyabikoni Ward, Central Division, Kabale Municipality.
During the mediation process, a heated disagreement erupted between the factions, culminating in a physical altercation. Bakak managed to de-escalate the situation and advised the parties to return home and come back when calmer. This advice, however, incensed Burera, Mukakigeri, and Nyamurwana, who then attempted to assault Bakak and threatened further action against him, Bakak said.
Following the incident, Bakak filed a complaint with the Kabale police, leading to the arrest of the three individuals. The case was heard by the Kabale Chief Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha. The prosecution, led by Kabale Senior State Attorney Julie Nanjunju, stated that Burera, Mukakigeri, and Nyamurwana had attempted to assault Bakak on May 21, 2024.
The defendants, represented by lawyer Anthony Aryanyijuka of Bitwenda and Company Advocates, pleaded not guilty. Aryanyijuka requested bail on the grounds that the charges were bailable, the accused were presumed innocent until proven guilty, and they had credible sureties. He also noted that two of the accused were of advanced age.
Nanjunju confirmed that the investigation was complete and requested the court to schedule a hearing date. Magistrate Byamugisha granted the defendants a non-cash bail of UGX 2 million each, with their sureties bonded for UGX 5 million each, also non-cash. The case was adjourned to July 22, 2024, for the commencement of the hearing.
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