Independent..co.ug
Saturday September 24, 2016
Seven Somali nationals accused of aiding and abetting the Al-Shabab to carry out a second bomb attack on Kampala, have on Friday, re-applied for bail before the International Crimes Division court
They cited their long stay on remand in Luzira Prison, two years without appearing before a judge. They also claim that their health condition needs special attention which cannot be accessed while in prison.
They were arrested in September 2014 from a Hotel in Kisenyi- Kampala after a tip off by residents to police that the accused were allegedly coordinating activities and rendering support to Al-Shabab and Al-Qaeda.
The group led by Muhammad Gille first applied to be released on bail in December 2014 but their attempt was rejected by Justice Moses Mukiibi on grounds that they had not proved any exceptional circumstances of how their welfare will be prejudiced if left in prison until their trial is completed.
Their second bail application has now been fixed for September 29 before Justice Ezekiel Muhanguzi, but they will have to return to court on Monday for their pre-trial session. This is the first step to confirming charges, against them before the case file is forwarded to a panel of three justices for hearing.