Prof. Bukenya’s supporters lift him at the Anti-Corruption Court yesterday. PHOTO BY FAISWAL KASIRYE                

It was a moment he was waiting for and it came to pass. Former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya was yesterday released on bail pending trial, after spending a week on remand at the Luzira Maximum Security Prison to much fanfare.
Until last Tuesday, hope to have him acquire bail was hanging in balance after it emerged the date for hearing of his bail application had not been fixed before the anti-graft division of the High Court. But Prof. Bukenya, who was yesterday driven to court by prison authorities led by the Commissioner in-charge of Prison inmates, Mr Apolo Baker Asinja, got his supporters and some of fellow parliamentarians into a celebratory mood.
Despite heavy police deployment in and outside the premises of the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala, the enchanted crowd, sang songs, including the national anthem,in praise of the former vice president.
His supporters and MPs shouted in unison, describing him as a hero and vowed to stand by him until the trial ends.
Prof. Bukenya, who was stripped of the Busiro North parliamentary seat in Wakiso District recently, was remanded to prison on October 3 by Chief Magistrate Irene Akankwasa after he was committed to High Court for trial and his bail cancelled.
Justice Paul Mugamba of the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court ordered for the release of Prof. Bukenya on similar terms and conditions earlier based on by the Magistrate’s Court in the release. However, his release did not come on a silver platter.
Court asked Prof. Bukenya, to pay a cash bail of Shs50 million and deposit his passport upon presenting six sureties. In addition, he was asked to report to court every second tuesday of every month until court asks him to stop. Attorneys, Mac Dusman Kabega and Enos Tumusiime, applied for his temporary release on medical grounds.
Prof. Bukenya is charged with abuse of office for his role in the award of a Shs9.4 billion deal to supply at least 200 executive vehicles for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to Motorcare four years ago. He is also facing another charge of abuse of office in connection with the award of the contract to supply 80 units of BMW R 1200 Police Outrider motorcycles for use -- still for the same summit.
ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com & jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com