Makindye Chief Magistrate Court has ordered Dodoviko Mwanje, the man said to be behind the demolition of St. Peter’s Church -Ndeeba in Kampala and 17 others who applied for bail to pay 2 Million shillings cash before leaving Kitalya government prison.
The accused have also been directed to deposit their passports with court and prohibited from leaving the country while their sureties have been ordered to sign a non-cash bond of 100 Million shillings to ensure that they return to court on 16th September 2020 as investigations into their case continue.
The Principal Grade One Magistrate Prossy Katushabe allowed their temporary release on bail saying the State had not presented proof that they would interfere with witnesses or evidence in this case, and that both the rights of the citizens whose Church was demolished and the rights of the accused persons have to be balanced as provided for in the constitution, much as this is a case of great national importance.
Magistrate Katushabe however assured the public that sureties in this case are substantial and are able to do their role of prevailing over the accused persons not to jump bail and that even their documents have been retained by court on top of the 100M non-cash bond.
The 22 suspects who appeared via video conferencing at the High court in Kampala are facing charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, disobedience of lawful orders, theft and malicious damage to property.
Dodoviko Mwanje together with Ivan Katongole the KCCA urban planner are accused of having sanctioned the demolition of the said Church while Police officers are accused of disobeying lawful orders of commisisoner of Police Moses Kafeero, which were to oversee security deployment at St. Peter’ Church in order to avert any possible demolition.
The accused are said to have committed the offence between March and August this year but all have since denied the allegation and they return to court on 16th this month.