THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT JINJA
 MISC. APPLICATION NO. 21/95
BIJJA ROBBERT……………………………………………………….APPLICANT
VERSUS
UGANDA…………………………………………………………….RESPONDENT
BEFORE: THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE C.M.KATO
RULING
 

This ruling refers to an application for bail. The applicant Robert Bijja is charged with the offence of Defilement c/s 123(1) of PCA. He is seeking for a release on bail pending his trial. The application is by notice of motion dated 17-11-95 and it is supported by the applicant’s own affidavit also dated 17-11-95.

By provisions of section 14A of TID as amended by statutes 5 and 6 of 1990 a person charged with defilement can only be released on bail if he proves to the satisfaction of the court that special circumstances do exist to warrant his being released on bail. The circumstances which are regarded a special include grave sickness, infancy or old age, the fact that the applicant has been on remand for over 12 months as per article 23(6)(c) of the new Constitution and that the state does not oppose the applicant being released on bail.

In the present case the applicant who appeared in person has stated that he is a young boy of 17 years and that he also suffers from chest pain. The learned counsel for the respondent has not objected the accused being released on bail provided that stringent conditions are imposed to compel the applicant to attend court. The mere fact that the applicant is having chest pain is not a good ground to have him released on bail in the absence of any medical report, but in view of the fact this is a school boy aged 17 years and in view of the fact that the state does not oppose his being released on bail I will grant this application for being released on bail. He is accordingly released on bail on the following conditions:

1.       He is to produce 100,000/= cash as deposit.

2.       He is to produce 2 sureties who will be approved by the District Registrar Jinja and each of them will Sign a bond of 200,000/= not cash.
3.       The applicant will appear in the Chief Magistrates court Jinja once a month for extension of his bail starting from 28-12-95 until another lawful order to the contrary has been given.

4.       The above conditions will have to he complied with and failure to do so without any reasonable ground will automatically result in the bail being cancelled.