EXORBITANT BAIL CONDITIONS IN COURTS AND MR. MUSEVENI’S PROPOSAL TO DENY CAPITAL OFFENDERS BAIL.

As FDC We strongly resisted Mr Museveni’s proposal of denying capital offenders bail. At that point, many of his ministers didn’t come out to advise him on this matter. Perhaps they thought it was only meant for opposition leaders and they didn’t know that at one point they would also be in court and would one day require bail.

Denying bail to suspects in such cases would not only violate their constitutional rights but also undermine the principles of justice and fairness. We shall continue to strongly oppose any attempt to curtail the rights of Ugandan citizens.

As FDC, we believe that Bail is a fundamental right under Article 23(6) of the 1995 Constitution because any accused person, under Article 28 of Uganda’s supreme law, is presumed innocent until proven or pleads guilty.

Article 23(6) specifically provides that an accused person “is entitled to apply to court to be released on bail, and the court may grant that person bail on such conditions as deemed reasonable”. The bail conditions should not be punitive and should not place an undue burden on the accused or their sureties

Constitutionally, bail conditions are meant to ensure that the accused person shows up for their court hearings and does not pose a threat to public safety or commit further crimes while awaiting trial.

Regardless of their position or status, all individuals should be entitled to the same legal protections and rights under the law, regardless of status, Political Party, Color, Height, Tribe or Religion. Denying bail to anyone, including ministers, shall set a dangerous precedent which in a long run undermines the rule of law in Uganda.

The Legal fraternity must be condemning the state under which court denied the husband of Hon. Margaret Kitutu from standing surety for his wife based on financial statements.

Furthermore, In the case of Dr Kizza Besigye, a bail amount of 30 million Uganda Shillings and a bond of 70 million Shillings for each surety were outrageous, illegal and unacceptable in a sane legal system. We continue to hear courts demanding for land titles as a condition for bail as seen in the recent cases of ministers can be problematic.  What about people who don’t have land titles?

We call upon these ministers to be our good messengers in condemning bad legal practices and to urge Mr Museveni to reconsider his attitude on the issue of bail and to uphold the principles of fair hearing, justice and the rule of law in Uganda.

As FDC, we remain committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of all Ugandans and to promoting a fair and just society for all.

THE DIRE STATE OF UGANDA’S INFRASTRUCTURE. 

We want to commend all Ugandans who in a unique and creative initiative to draw attention to the dire state of Uganda’s roads, took to social media to share photos of the country’s potholes using the hashtag #UGPotholeExhibition.

Ugandans across the country shared photos of potholes of all shapes and sizes, from small cracks to massive craters/holes that could swallow a car. This was not only a creative way to bring attention to the issue but also a powerful example of citizen activism.

Many roads across the country are riddled with potholes, making travel extremely difficult and dangerous. These potholes are a result of poor road construction and lack of maintenance, showing the highest level of irresponsible government.

These pose a significant risk to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. They can cause accidents, damage vehicles, and result in injuries or even fatalities. In addition, this also affects tourism.

Kampala Road is one of the main roads in the city, and its state is a reflection of the general state of the country’s road infrastructure. It is a major thoroughfare in the city and is often the first impression that visitors to the city have.

Unfortunately, like many other roads in Uganda, Kampala Road is riddled with potholes, which not only make it difficult and dangerous to drive on but also contribute to traffic congestion.

 

UGANDAS HEALTH SYSTEM

Uganda’s health system is also facing significant challenges, including inadequate funding, limited access to essential medicines and medical equipment, and a shortage of trained health workers.

The country’s health budget is inadequate, and the government’s spending on health is one of the lowest in the world. This has led to a shortage of medical supplies, poor infrastructure, and a lack of essential medicines and equipment.

In addition, Uganda’s health system is struggling with a severe shortage of trained health workers, particularly doctors and nurses. This shortage is due to a combination of factors, including low salaries, poor working conditions, and limited training opportunities. As a result, many health facilities are understaffed, and patients often have to wait for long periods to receive care.

Many health facilities do not have the necessary equipment or drugs to provide basic health services, and patients are often forced to purchase these items themselves or go without treatment altogether.

The daily monitor recently published that Mulago Hospital, which is Uganda’s national referral hospital, is struggling with a large number of non-functional medical equipment.

The reasons for the non-functionality of the equipment may vary, but some common reasons include lack of maintenance, inadequate training of staff, and outdated technology.

Many government officials and other wealthy individuals travel abroad for medical treatment because the health care system in Uganda is rotten. It is important to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic status, have access to quality healthcare services within the country.

The Abuja Declaration, which was adopted by African Union member states in 2001, calls on governments to allocate at least 15% of their annual budgets to health. However, as you have noted, the Ugandan government has been allocating only 3-7% of its annual budget to health. This would require a significant increase in funding for the health sector, but the long-term benefits would be well worth the investment.

In all these, Ugandans have the power to demand better services from their government, and they must continue to use all available means to do so. The government is accountable to the people, and it is the responsibility of every citizen to hold their leaders accountable and demand better services

One of the most effective ways for Ugandans to demand better services is through peaceful protest and activism.

Ugandans have the right to peaceful assembly and free speech, and these rights should be exercised to demand accountability from the government. This could include organizing protests, writing letters to elected representatives, and engaging in social media campaigns, forming community groups and associations to address specific issues, such as access to healthcare or education.

By working together, Ugandans can amplify their voices and demand change more effectively.

In conclusion, Ugandans have the power to demand better services from their government, and they must continue to use all available means to do so.

 

FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY

JOHN KIKONYOGO

FDC DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON