Lt. Gen. Tumukunde’s Granted Bail: These are his sureties

By Our Reporter

In Lt. Gen Henry Tumukunde earlier attempts at bail, court judge asked him to present at least two sureties who are serving military officers at his rank or higher, with a letter of introduction from the Chief of Defence Forces.

This requirement by the judge, caused public debate from legal minds, with many arguing that since Tumukunde is a retired army officer, it was wrong to subject him to the military rules and requiring him to adduce sureties who are at his rank or higher.

The presidential hopeful, had in his second bail application, argued that it was impossible for him to produce senior officers who are currently serving in army or in government.

On Monday, High Court judge Wilson Kwesiga concurred with him that the treason charges that he is facing, no serving military officer at his rank of Lt Gen or higher, would want to associate with him.

Against the above background, the judge said he found the ex-spy chief’s wife; Stella Tumukunde, Hannington Karuhanga (Tumukunde’s brother) and Mathew Rukikaire (a close family friend), as substantial sureties.

The court session held at Buganda Road Court in Kampala, was conducted by way of video conferencing as the three-star general did not physically appear in court.

He followed the court proceedings from Luzira prison.

Other bail terms are that his three sureties who include his wife were each bonded at Shs50m non cash.

He was also ordered to deposit his passport in court.

He will start reporting to City Hall court on May 20, 2020 as a probe into a charge of unlawful possession of firearms and treason carries on.