KAMPALA – The International Crimes Division of High Court has allowed the Rwenzururu King Charles Mumbere to travel abroad to seek treatment.
While making her ruling, the judge considered the medical recommendation by the doctor from Mengo Hospital who stated that Mumbere needs surgery for both his eyes outside Uganda because this cannot be done in Uganda.
In that regard, the court directed the Immigration Office to issue Mumbere a new passport to enable him to go for treatment. He is to return his passport to court after seven days upon return.
However, Justice Oguli warned Mumbere who is facing capital offenses and a cultural leader to return back home after his surgery for the interest of his subjects otherwise he will be assumed that he has abandoned his throne if he does not come back.
The judge, however, denied Mumbere permission to travel to Kasese on grounds that he can easily interfere with State witnesses since they are his subordinates with whom the Prosecution intends to rely on to pin him on 41 charges related to murder, aggravated robbery, terrorism among others.
Concerning the request of having military removed from his Muyenga residence, the court has ruled that it does not have the powers to order them out of his premises since it is the state to determine which type of security to guard the cultural leaders.
His bail condition of reporting to the court registrar every twice a month has subsequently been relaxed and reduced it to once a month on grounds that it was rigorous.
Justice Oguli also said that the file will be remitted back to the registrar to fix the hearing of the pre-trial.
Mumbere was arrested from his Royal palace in Kasese in November 2016 and charged with several offences before Jinja magistrate court and on January 13, 2017, he was released on bail by Justice Eva Luswata who restricted his movements to Kampala Wakiso and Jinja.
He was restricted to move to districts of Kabarole , Kasese and Bundibugyo hence the application.
However the state had told court that the Rwenzururu Kingdom which is located in the prohibited districts is still held as a crime scene yet the king still wields considerable influence over his subjects.
King Mumbere and his co-accused are facing charges of treason, terrorism, murder, aggravated robbery and being in possession of illegal firearms.