Tears of Joy for Pastor Bujjingo, Suzan Makula as Court Grants them Bail; Mabirizi Left Cursing, Fearing for His Life

Entebbe Grade One Magistrate Stella Okwang has granted Pastor Aloysius Bujjingo and Suzan Makula bail, leaving perennial litigant Hassan Male Mabirizi cursing.

As we reported earlier (here), Bujjingo and Makula appeared in court for the hearing of their case.

Bujjingo and Makula face charges of bigamy and accusations of contracting marriage by customary law when already married under the Marriage Act.

But the duo denied the charges.

They applied for bail, which was granted since Timothy Amerit from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) made no objections to the duo’s bail application.

The magistrate granted Makula and Bujjingo a Shs3m cash bail each, and bonded each of their sureties at Shs10m non-cash.

The DPP also amended the charges. The pastor and his employee now face charges of contracting marriage by customary law when already married, contrary to Section 50 of the Marriage Act; and marrying a person previously married, contrary to Section 42 of the Marriage Act.

But Okwang’s decision to release Bujjingo and Makula left Mabirizi angry.

The lawyer was also disappointed that the magistrate had allowed the DPP to take over his case yet there is still a pending application challenging the takeover in the High Court.

He also vowed not to submit the evidence he had collected to the DPP’s office.

Mabirizi says he will challenge Okwong’s decisions in both the High Court and the East African Court of Justice.

Bujjingo and Makula are expected back in court on February 18 for mention of their case.

The lawyer had hours earlier tabled reasons why his life would be in danger if Bujjingo was granted bail since he had reportedly threatened him. (Read story: HE SHOULD GO TO JAIL: Pastor Bujjingo Tormentor Gives Reasons Why Court Should not Grant Suzan Makula’s Man Bail Tomorrow).