Justice Margaret Oumo Oguli, however, declined to allow him permission to travel to Kasese on grounds that he can easily interfere with state witnesses in a case in which he faces 41 charges related to murder, aggravated robbery, and terrorism among others.
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Left to Right: Rwenzururu King Mumbere Chatting with one of his subjects at the International Crimes Division in Kampala as the Queen looks
The International Crimes Division of High Court - ICD has
allowed Rwenzururu King Charles Mumbere to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Justice Margaret Oumo Oguli, however, declined to allow him permission to
travel to Kasese on grounds that he can easily interfere with state witnesses
in a case in which he faces 41 charges related to murder, aggravated robbery,
and terrorism among others.
Justice Oguli, issued the orders on Thursday while delivering the ruling on an
application in which Mumbere wanted his bail conditions relaxed such that he
can be allowed to go to Kasese to perform his cultural duties.
Concerning the request of having military removed from his Muyenga
residence, court ruled that they do not have the powers to order
them to vacate the place. Oguli quoted the Traditional and Cultural
Leaders Act, which states that it will always be the State to
determine which type of security to guard the cultural leaders.
Court further directed the Immigration Office to issue him a new
passport to enable him to go for treatment since Mumbere adduced evidence from
Mengo Hospital that shows that he needs an eye surgery (phaco cataract) which
cannot be done in Uganda.
Court directed Mumbere to take his passport to court after returning from
treatment. He has also been ordered to report
before the ICD registrar once every month.
On January, 13, 2017, Justice Eva Luswata of the Jinja High Court
granted Mumbere bail on terrorism-related charges resulting from an
uprising in Kasese where dozens of people lost lives.
Justice Luswata, however, restricted Mumbere movements to Kampala, Wakiso and
Jinja districts because Kasese was reportedly not peaceful at that time. During the hearing, Mumbere’s application was strongly
opposed by State Prosecutors led by Marion Ben Bella.
Marion among other grounds argued that there was no
need for him to go to Kasese since he has been able to perform his cultural
duties by reshuffling Cabinet even when he is in Kampala.
In 2018, he was committed to International Criminal Division for the trial
which has since failed to kick off.
Mumbere's lawyer Samuel Muyizi has welcomed the ruling saying
their application has largely succeeded.
