Uganda: Three MPs Remanded to Prison Over Corruption

Guards and pedestrians stand outside the entrance to the parliamentary building in Kampala, Uganda’s capital.

Accused of soliciting money from the chairperson of the human rights commission to inflate the 2024/2025 budget, members of parliament Cissy Namujju, Yusuf Mutembuli and Paul Akamba will tonight sleep in the coolers of Luzira prison

Appearing before the Anti-Corruption Court chief magistrate Joan Aciro , the accused denied the allegations of corruption seeking bail to no avail.

Arrested on Monday and detained incommunicado, tNamujju, Mutembuli and Akamba appeared for the very first time in the anti corruption court here in Kampala

In a court full to capacity, the accused were read their charge sheet with charges of corruption which they plead not guilty

The accused lawyers including their very own Asuman Basalirwa sought bail on grounds that

"The magnitude of crime they are being accused doesn't equate to denial of bail," Basalirwa argued.

"The roles as MPs require them to be out to serve thousands their represent."

Aciro adjourned the hearing to Friday to allow time to internalise the documents submitted remanded the three MPs to jail.

"There was not enough time it was 5:30pm so the chief magistrate adjourned the hearing," Basalirwa said.

"But I want to plead with those within the justice system to allow justice prevail."

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