Ugandan Comedians “Bizonto” Granted Bail

Ugandan Local comedians aka Bizonto have been granted bail, hours after they were arrested from Radio Simba premises on 5th March 2021.

Julius Sserwanja is also known as Kidomoole, Mbabaali Maliseeri (Uncle Luyuguumo), and Gold Ki Matono, also known as Opeto and Peter Sssaabakaaki (Omuzinyuuzi) were re-arrested on Friday on charges of promoting sectarianism and offensive communication.

on 5th March 2021 afternoon, the comedians appeared before Grade One magistrate Asuman Muhumuza. It was alleged that the comedians and others still at large within the district of Kampala made and published on different social media platforms videos containing information that was likely to incite discontent by citizens of Uganda against the Banyankole tribe. This was reportedly done by indicating that most of the leaders in Uganda are of the Banyankole tribe.

However, they denied the charges and through their lawyers led by Derrick Lutalo applied to be freed on bail pending disposal of the case against them. The lawyers presented several sureties who included their friends, relatives and human rights defenders.

However, in response, the prosecution led by Patricia Cingtho opposed the bail application saying the sureties presented did not have local council letters confirming their places of abode.

But in his ruling, the magistrate overruled the submissions of the prosecution saying the national identity cards produced by the sureties are credible and binding documents. He accordingly granted them bail of Shs 100,000 cash while their sureties were asked to execute a bail of Shs 500,000, not cash.

The accused were ordered to reappear in court on April 8, 2021, for mention as inquiries continue. They were first arrested in July last year after producing and circulating a skit titled “who are our leaders,” in which they mockingly prayed for Uganda’s top leaders.

The seven-minute skit which was uploaded on July 15, 2020, on YouTube, started with a musical and in it, the group members listed all persons who are holding key positions in the Electoral Commission, Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Prisons, Uganda National Roads Authority, National Social Security Fund, Bank of Uganda, Ministry of Finance, Internal Security Organisation – headed by individuals who all hail from western Uganda.

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