Ruhangana alias Kahima v Uganda (Criminal Miscellaneous Application No. 881 of 2019) [2020] UGHC 22 (24 January 2020)

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT MBARARA

HCT-05-CR-CMA- 881- 2019

RUHANGANA SAMUEL--------------------------------------------------- APPLICANT Alias KAHIMA

VERSUS

UGANDA …………………………………….………….. RESPONDENT

BEFORE HON. MR. JUSTICE SSEKAANA MUSA

RULING

This is an application for bail pending the trial of the applicant who is indicted with the offence of Murder contrary to Section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act. Counsel for the applicant has applied for bail contending that the applicant was not involved in the fracas between Turyamusiima Allan and the deceased. At the time of commission of the said offence, the applicant was aged 17 years.

It was counsel's argument that the applicant is willing to abide by any bail conditions that may be imposed upon him.

That he has satisfied Court that he will not abscond by presenting substantial sureties and stating his address of abode.

He has also stated that the applicant is presumed innocent until proved guilty.

Counsel for the state opposed the application stating that the offence is grave, the applicant has had a chance to look at the evidence. He is likely to jump bail. He continued that for the interest of society and the manner in which the offence was committed should be considered and if the court is inclined to grant him bail then it should issue very strict terms to enable him attend trial.

DETERMINATION

It has been set out in many cases that, the right to apply for bail is a constitutional right and is open to all categories accused person irrespective of the nature of the offence for which they are charged. And that the applicant under Article 23(6) (a) of the Constitution states that;

*(6) where a person is arrested in respect of a criminal offence-*

*(a) the person is entitled to apply to the court to be released on bail, and the court may grant that person bail on such conditions as the court considers reasonable;…..*

The other applicable laws regarding grant of bail are sections 14(1) and 15(3) (a) of the Trial on Indictments Act. Section 14 provides as follows:-

*(14) Release on bail.*

*(1) The High Court may at any stage in the proceedings release the accused person on bail, that is to say, on taking from him or her a recognisance consisting of a bond, with or without sureties, for such an amount as is reasonable in the circumstances of the case, to appear before court on such a date and at such a time as is named in the bond.*

*(15) Refusal to grant bail.*

*(1) Notwithstanding section 14, the court may refuse to grant bail to a person accused of an offence specified in sub section (2) if he or she does not prove to the satisfaction of the court –*

- *(a) that exceptional circumstances exist justifying his or her release on bail; and (b) that he or she will not abscond when released on bail.* - *(2) An offence referred to in subsection (1) is: –* - *(a) an offence triable only by the High Court;* - *(b) an offence under the Penal Code Act relating to acts of terrorism …*

*… … …*

- *(4) In considering whether or not the accused is likely to abscond, the court may take into account the following factors: –* - *(a) whether the accused has a fixed place of abode within the jurisdiction of the court or is ordinarily resident outside Uganda;* - *(b) whether the accused has sound securities within the jurisdiction to undertake that the accused shall comply with the conditions of his or her bail;* - *(c) … … …*

*(d) whether there are other charges pending against the accused.*

Both Article 23 (6) (a), of the Constitution, and sections 14(1) and 15(3) (a) of the Trial on Indictments Act mandate Court to exercise discretion and grant bail; and to impose such terms and conditions as it considers reasonable for the grant of bail. The overriding principles for admitting a remand prisoner to bail are first, the presumption of innocence; which is that an accused person is presumed innocent, except where he or she has pleaded guilty to the charge, or the prosecution has established beyond reasonable doubt that such person perpetrated or participated in the offence charged. Second, there is need to afford an accused person adequate opportunity to prepare for his or her defence which obviously cannot be properly done when on remand. These principles are respectively enshrined in Article 28 (3) (a), and (c) of the Constitution.

In the converse, is the need for Court to determine whether in the circumstance of the case, the Applicant will turn up for trial or abscond when granted bail. There are well established guidelines Court should adhere to, in the exercise of its discretion, in considering the issue of bail. These include the nature or gravity of the offence the accused is charged with, the severity of the sentence that could result therefrom if conviction is secured, the antecedents of the Applicant in so far as they are known, whether or not the Applicant has a fixed place of abode within the jurisdiction of the Court, the likelihood of the Applicant interfering with the prosecution witnesses, and whether the Applicant has presented substantial sureties. *See, Dr. Ismail Kalule & 3 Others V Uganda (Criminal Miscellaneous Applications 57, 58, 59, & 60 of 2010) [2011], His Majesty Omusinga Mumbere Wesley vs Uganda [Crim. Misc Application No. 75/2016]*

In my estimation, the applicant fulfills most of those conditions. What is important is this applicant has in his affidavit shown that he has a fixed place of abode which is Bwitera Kijubwe Kayonza in Ntungamo District. He has also presented substantial sureties, Nyesiga Naboth aged 39 years, applicant's cousin brother and a farmer, Agaba Laban aged 32 years, applicant's brother and a farmer and Nsimenta Dinah aged 38 years, applicant's mother all residents of Kijubwe Kayonza in Ntungamo District. Their relationship to him has convinced court that they would be in a position to compel him to attend the trial.

Therefore, I am allowing this application. I am granting bail to the applicant on the following terms;

- 1. He will pay shs. 2,000,000/= in cash to Court. - 2. The 3 sureties shall execute a non cash bond of shs. 10,000,000/= each. - 3. The applicant is to report to the Registrar of this Court every 15th day of the month for the entire duration of his trial with effect from 15/02/2020.

I so order

SSEKAANA MUSA JUDGE 24th January 2020