The lawyers have advised the government about the risk of amending the constitution bail Act.
The lawyers under their association, Uganda Law Society (ULS) have said that if the bail is extended to six months as President Museveni proposes it will cause an influx of prisoners in cells which has a logistical implication on government.
The society’s statement has also indicated that police will be reluctant to carry out investigations and government will spend much money in damages if the suspect is acquitted. It adds that unscrupulous people will use the lengthy remand to get bribes from the suspects and some people will create unjustified cases to have their enemies suffer in prisons.
The lawyers say that the Act 23 of the constitution provides for bail but it states that under exceptional circumstances a bail may be denied.
The lawyers’ pronouncement is in response to the President’s proposal to lobby the 9th parliament to amend the bail Act so that suspects of defilement, rape, treason, riots, murder and economic sabotage be held on remand for 180 days (six months).
By Issa Asuman