Critically Ill Dr Stella Nyanzi Granted Bail

Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate, His Worship, Ereemye Mawanda has granted Makerere researcher, Stella Nyanzi a shs10m non-cash bail.

Dr. Nyanzi has been released on condition that she restrains from making cyber attacks against the president & his immediate family. The State also barred Stella Nyanzi from discussing or writing merits of the matter whilst it’s in court. Her passport is to be deposited in court for ‘safe keeping’.

Dr Nyanzi’s lawyers, Counsel Nicholas Opiyo and Isaac Ssemakadde told court that their client was critically ill. The defense also pointed out that Nyanzi, a single mother was out of employment and had been in custody for a long time.

The Makerere don, on April 10 was charged and sent to Luzira prison for calling President Museveni a “pair of buttoks”. Dr Nyanzi was charged with two counts including cyber harassment contrary to section 24 (1)(2)(a) of the Computer misuse Act 2011 and offensive communication contrary to section 25 of the Computer Misuse Act 2011.

In the first count, prosecution alleges that “Dr Nyanzi on January 28, 2017 at Kampala District or thereabout used a computer to post on her Facbook page “Stella Nyanzi” wherein she made a suggestion or proposal referring to His Excellence Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as among others “a pair of buttocks” which suggestion/ proposal is obscene or indecent.”

The next court hearing has been scheduled for May 25.