BY JOACKIM KULE
Kasese Chief Magistrate’s Court, sitting today at Rukoki, granted bail to Mr. Remegio Thembo Ikwera, the Head Teacher at Kasese Primary School, who had been on remand for collecting fees from UPE pupils.
The court, presided over by Her Worship Betty Ajok, the Kasese Acting Chief Magistrate, heard that Ikwera was collecting money from pupils in an institution implementing Universal Primary Education, which was contrary to the education act.
On July 27, Ikwera was remanded in Mubuku government prison after submitting his bail application. During the hearing of the accused’s bail application, Mr. Geoffrey Oundo, the Resident State Attorney, did not object to the bail application submitted by the accused through his lawyer, Counsel Geoffrey Mishele.
While considering the bail application, Her Worship Ajok explained that the prolonged detention would adversely affect the school, learners, teachers, and Ikwera’s personal life due to health issues.
Consequently, Ikwera was granted bail at shillings 2 million in cash, and his three sureties, namely Mary Kabasomi, Rev. Benjamin Bwambale, and Ezra Kamba, were bonded at shillings 5 million in non-cash.
The Acting Chief Magistrate emphasized that the sureties were charged with ensuring that Ikwera appears in court on the scheduled dates starting from September 6. Failure to do so would result in their arrest.
Counsel Geoffrey Mishele, from the Bagenda Co. and Advocates, expressed his satisfaction after securing bail for his client. He stated that he was pleased that Ikwera would be able to continue with his duties while reporting to court as required.
Additionally, the same court granted bail to two other teachers from Mulongoti Primary School, Margret Ithungu, and Jockus Bagheni, who were remanded for absconding duties.
They were each bonded at shillings 500,000 in cash, while their sureties, Isa and Safenia Kabugho, were bonded at shillings 2 million in non-cash.