After nearly 70 days in jail since his arrest in November last year, Rwenzuru king Charles Wesley was yesterday afternoon finally granted bail by Jinja High court.

Now, details of the negotiations between the Rwenzururu king and government for his temporary freedom have started emerging. Mumbere was released on a non-cash bail of Shs 100m and his sureties bonded at Shs 100m each, non-cash.

Mumbere’s lawyer, Caleb Alaka told justice Michael Elubu in Jinja High court that the king had agreed to some conditions with government for his release from Luzira prison.

Rwenzururu king Wesley Charles Mumbere

The king was remanded to Luzira prison in November last year together with his prime minister, Johnson Thembo Kitsumbire and 161 royal guards for their role in the Kasese clashes, which claimed the lives of more than 100 people including royal guards and policemen.

The suspects face 41 counts ranging from treason, terrorism, murder, attempted murder to aggravated robbery and malicious damage to property. On January 13, 2017, Justice Eva Luswata released Mumbere on bail but he was re-arrested shortly after and slapped with fresh charges.
 
As a result, Mumbere made a fresh bail application, which came up for hearing before Justice Michael Elubu. In his submission, Mumbere’s lawyer, Caleb Alaka listed some of the conditions they had reached with government for his release.
 
He said that they had agreed that the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) and Uganda Police Force takes over the security detail of the king. Mumbere is also expected to observe the bail terms set by Justice Eva Luswata during his earlier release.
 
They include restricting his movements within Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts. He also barred from traveling to Kabarole, Ntoroko and Kasese districts without prior permission from court.

Mumbere is also expected to report to the Criminal Investigations Department in Kampala once every month. Some of the people who stood surety for the king include his brother Christopher Kibanzanga, the Agriculture state minister, businessman Geoffrey Baluku, Constantine Bwambale, the former Rwenzururu premier, Edwin Kugonza, the managing director Real Marketing and Amos Mugisha.

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