UGANDA:  NATIONAL UNITY PLATFORM (NUP), NORTHERN UGANDA PRESIDENT RELEASED ON COURT BAIL, WISHED OUT TO SURVIVED REARREST

The attempt to block Dr. Linda Zadriga’s application for bail release was rejected by State Prosecutor Patricia Edyedo on the ground that the four sureties are not substantial, Lawyer Kelly Komakech, Gulu City Civil servant, Secondo Abok, proprietor of Heligoland school and two Rev. Sister from Arua Catholic Archdiocese, which the accused Defense lead Prosecutor  Salim objected.

Dr. Zadwiga wept, when Gulu Chief Magistrate Augustine Alule ruled that she is granted cash bail of UGX 1 Million, and other four sureties granted UGX 10 million noncash bail, she smell freedom after 40 days incommunicado  

GULU CITY-TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2026.

By Okumu Livingstone Langol, Our Correspondent

There was total darkness in Gulu High Court Circuit as the Gulu Chief Magistrate on Tuesday granted bail to Dr. Linda Zadriga, the NUP Party Vice President for Northern Uganda, after spending 40 days in jail.

The case file number No. 63/2026, was read by Gulu Chief Magistrate to her

Dr. Zadriga’s young daughter Mundaru Marcy Grace, was among the people who traveled 180 kilometers from Arua City to Gulu High Court to attend her mother’s court hearing.  She has a story to be told. Narrated when contacted how she felt since her mother finally set free.

When my mother Dr. Linda Zadriga was abducted from her birth room, we were living in emotion, the fear that your person was abducted, you don’t know where she was. Now we were thinking about her.

When she was abducted, it caused an economic problem, because she was paying a number of children, they were not able to go to school, now she is free. At last we want to start from where she is now. We thank the people of West Nile who stood with us, also we thank the Clergy of Arua Archdiocese. Today we live happily.

However, before Gulu Chief Magistrate granted Dr. Zadriga court bail, the state prosecutor put a spiritual battle to block her, she stated that the two sureties Secondo Abok and Kelly Komakech do not have employment letters stating where they work.

The two Nun from Arua Catholic Archdiocese do not have the document from Arua Catholic Bishop nor from Arua Parish Preach and recommendation letter from the bishop.

“Therefore, it would be difficult for the honorable court to trace them when Dr. Zadriga jumped court bail, and there is a possible conflict of interest, because the two Nun Sisters one is related to Dr. Zadwiga.

All the two Rev. Sisters and the second legal accountability did not put them that as usual with standing in their respect of their position, so it would be difficult for the honorable court to trace them.” She told the court to reject Dr. Zadwiga Court bail application.

The Defense Counsel for the accused, Okwera William Jefferson argued that, it will go on vocal 013 all the full court to be put into consideration the action of violence that he state prosecutor have passed the judgement against the accused person Dr. Zadriga being guilty of the alleged crimes which pleaded not guilty, if she is further remanded.

Okwera William further argued that, when the state prosecutor stated that there is likely to be the accused Dr. Zadriga released on Court bail, she is likely to interfere with police investigation, and also, she will commit more crimes, or political treason.

The Defense prosecutor dismisses alleged fear that the accused would commit political treason, or the said person will commit offence, whether political or she will disappear, what state prosecutor spoke all that sometime all are substantiated.

My lord, the mode adopted by the learned counsel friend, I wish to remind the court that the section of the law under section 77/75 of the magistrate court Act is clearly spelled out considering the court to grant bail. Specifically, I want to point out the condition of the sureties to be responsible, he she must be responsible for the society, and the sureties must have traceable place of residences.

Introduction letter for all the four sureties seconded by the Local Council I of their respective areas, fulfil all the place of residences, right from the villages, sub counties and District, these sureties must have sound mind, therefore, I wounded if the state proctor have sound mind to alleged that.

The four sureties have known the accused person for many years and some of them have been working with them politically.

The chief magistrate ruled and told court that the time is now 11.15 Am local East African time, Court has to be convened at noon for the ruling, however when the court convened, the state proctor was nowhere to be seen.

Augustine Alule, Gulu Court Chief Magistrate by 2:00PM convened court ruling, before he finally stated the prosecutor is here, thank the members of the Court, we have come up with the Court ruling.

“This is my reading, the accused prosecutor is right to apply for bail as the 1996 constitutions grant the accused right to apply for bail, and it is not automatic that the state should grant bail recorded to the accused. Or the accused is not liable to be released. The accusation that the state prosecutor referred to is of substantial.

However, the sentence could be arranged was not prepared to deny the accused bail, I have addressed my mind of the state prosecutor, I have addressed my mind of the person of the accused. The most important is whether or not the sureties of the accused person are in court.

Secondly, the bail application should be rejected as presumption the accused pleaded not guilty, I found the view is substantial with sureties No.  I, and 2, 3 and the 4^th who are all here, the objection is not known in the judiciary system.

The letter for the bail applications clear requiting so there is no legal battle, it is therefore that the non-cash bail sureties are to pay UGX 10 million and the two sureties are to pay UGX 1 million, I granted court bail application, Dr. Zadriga to appear in court on March 24, 2026.

Next edition I will run the con and for of both NUP party and Accused Defense Counsels