By George Murumba

25^th February 2013:

Museveni: Wants right to bail scrapped

President Yoweri Museveni has renewed his call for a change in the law to deny bail to suspects charged with corruption, terrorism, treason and defilement in the first 180 days on remand.

The president’s proposal has been sent to both the NRM caucus and the cabinet.  If the president’s proposal eventually becomes law, it would remove the discretionary powers that Judges have to grant bail to suspects for certain crime categories.

Museveni said the police have played their role of investigating and arresting the criminals but their effort are being frustrated by judicial officers who grant criminals bail – thus sending them back to the community to cause disharmony.

“…Members of Parliament need to help me solve this problem of court granting bail to rapists, murderers, defilers and corrupt officials etc. I would love to see such culprits locked up for at least six months before bail is given,” the president said.

The president renewed his call last week when he was speaking at a fundraising ceremony for a new Church at St. James Kifamba Church of Uganda in Kakuuto Sub County – Rakai district.

He was prompted the issue after residents of the raised insecurity concerns following a series of mysterious murders which they said threatened their freedom of movement.  Last month, a family in Katongero, Kyeebe village in Rakai was attacked by unidentified assailants, leaving nine family members murdered in cold blood.

Museveni has called on residents of Rakai and Masaka to task their Members of Parliament to support the amendment of bail terms in high level crimes, at the time of tabling the bill in parliament.

He explained that the move is geared towards reducing crimes.  END: Login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories mid-week for our updates

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