Earlier in the day, Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro had set Mr. Akamba's cash bail at Shs13 million, pending the trial where he and his co-accused, Ms. Cissy Namujju Dionizia (Lwengo Woman MP) and Mr. Yusuf Mutembuli (Bunyole East County), were to defend themselves. Additionally, Mr. Akamba was required to surrender his passport to the court, and his sureties had to secure a non-cash bail of Shs100 million.
Pandemonium broke out Friday evening at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala when plain-clothed security operatives rearrested Busiki County Member of Parliament, Mr. Paul Akamba, shortly after he had been granted bail.
Akamba being bundled into a van by security
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Following his brief release, Mr. Akamba, visibly relieved after a night spent in Luzira Prison, was met with cheers from his family and supporters. One supporter exclaimed, "At least, this is a good start for justice, our MP is innocent," as the crowd celebrated with hugs and praises.
Joy short-lived
However, the joy was fleeting. Armed security personnel in plain clothes soon forcefully took hold of the legislator, hustled him into a nearby vehicle, and sped off to an undisclosed location, leaving his distraught relatives and supporters watching helplessly, some attempting to intervene.
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Complicating matters, bail was denied for Mr. Akamba’s co-accused, Ms. Namujju and Mr. Mutembuli, due to the absence of crucial documents needed for bail approval.
The prosecution claims that on May 13, 2024, at Hotel Africana, the three lawmakers attempted to secure a bribe constituting 20 percent from Ms. Mariam Wangadya, the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission (UHRC). It is alleged that they promised to sway the Parliamentary Budget Committee to boost the UHRC's budget for the 2024/2025 fiscal year in return for this bribe.
