Former Kampala Central Police Station commander Aaron Baguma Siringi, who is on murder trial, has been released on bail by the High Court.
He had been on remand at Kigo Prison for ten days in connection with the murder of businesswoman Betty Katusabe at Pine Car Bond in Kampala in October 2015. He is jointly charged with eight others who are still on remand in Luzira Prison.
Justice Wilson Masalu Musene dismissed the prosecution’s objections to the bail that Baguma was an elusive person who was likely to escape justice or interfere with the evidence if he was released pending trial.
The judge said Baguma presented three substantive sureties who included the police head of Traffic, Assistant Inspector General of Police Steven Kasiima.
“I am impressed with the applicant’s sureties as they will ensure that he attends court. In the premises, I grant the applicant bail on the following terms; he shall deposit Shs5m cash, his three sureties are each bonded at Shs50m, not cash, and the applicant will be reporting to the deputy registrar once every month until his trial starts on October 7,” the judge ruled.
Mr Baguma’s relatives and friends burst into cheering. Baguma was immediately taken to the court’s holding cells pending payment of the Shs5m bail sum in the bank before he can be released officially.
Baguma and his co-accused are facing other charges of kidnap with intent to murder and aggravated robbery.
