KASESE BY-ELECTION RIOT SUSPECTS TO APPLY FOR BAIL ON FRIDAY BUT COUNCILORS HAVE BEEN BONDED

Ten suspected rioters who were arrested on the eve of the August 8^th Kasese woman MP by-elections have today had their case extended to Friday when Kasese Grade One magistrate will rule on their application to have the charge dismissed.
The ten are among the eighteen people who were arrested on August 7^th when people rioted protesting police cordoning off Chief Prince of Rwenzururu Kingdom Christopher Kibanzanga’s home in Nyamwamba Division, Kasese Municipality.
Prosecution accused them of damaging a building, machinery, a car and other properties during the riot.
However, defense lawyer Geoffrey Sibendire of the Sibendire, Tayebwa and Co. Advocates asked Grade One Magistrate Patrick Bamuhiga to dismiss the charge because prosecution did not specify what was termed as any other property on the charge sheet.
Sibendire urged that by saying any other property, prosecution may easily come up with other materials that were never damaged by the suspects hence making it difficult to defend themselves.
Grade One Magistrate Patrick Bamuhiga adjourned court to Friday August 17 to rule on the application and also listen to the bail applications except one Gregory Masereka who was bailed out on grounds that he had mental problems.
In a related development eight other suspects accused of injuring a police officer John Byabahika during the same riot will also appear for bail application on Friday in the same court.
Meanwhile, chief Magistrate Joshua Maruk this morning granted bail to two district councilors who have been on remand since August 6^th.
Elly Magwara representing Kyabarungira and Abdu Saad Representing Maliba both FDC are alleged to have incited violence on July 5^th when they addressed different rallies mobilizing the Banyarwenzururu to fight the Basongora.
The Chief Magistrate who had early acquitted them of the first offence saying it lacked consent of the Director of Public Prosecution, considered their bail on a new account filed by the state moments later.
They were bailed out on four hundred thousand shillings cash each and their two sureties on five hundred thousand non cash.

Their lawyer Geoffrey Sibendire said, his clients are ready to defend themselves when they appear for hearing on September 10^th.