news 14 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Retiring Justice Egonda-Ntende Criticizes Bail Denial for NUP Politician Mufumbiro to Attend Wife's Burial
Retiring Court of Appeal Judge Fredrick Egonda-Ntende has strongly condemned the denial of temporary bail to opposition politician Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, who was prevented from attending his wife's burial. The judge described the decision as inhumane and contrary to constitutional principles. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/retiring-justice-egonda-ntende-condemns-refusal-to-release-nup-s-mufumbiro-for-wife-s-burial-5460032
Justice Fredrick Egonda-Ntende, who is set to retire next month, has voiced his disapproval of judicial officers who refused to grant bail to National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro. Mufumbiro was denied temporary release to attend the funeral of his wife, Edith Katende Mufumbiro, who passed away from cancer.
During a special Court of Appeal session held in his honor, Justice Egonda-Ntende highlighted the case as an example of a lack of compassion within the judiciary. He recounted a media report about children burying their mother without their father present, who was on remand for what he described as a “minor, obscure charge.”
“What society treats its children like this?” Justice Egonda-Ntende questioned, querying the denial of bail in circumstances that did not involve threats to life or property. He criticized the pre-trial detention, noting it had surpassed constitutionally permissible periods.
The Chief Magistrate’s Court at Kanyanya had denied Mufumbiro bail on April 10, citing the seriousness of the charges and the risk of him absconding. Mufumbiro faces accusations of inciting violence against security personnel.
His bail application, which was made on humanitarian grounds to allow him to bury his wife and support his children, was rejected. Mufumbiro had also sought the intervention of Chief Justice Flavian Zeija, but to no avail.
The judge’s remarks came during a session where he was lauded for his significant contributions to jurisprudence and the defense of civil liberties over his career. Several prominent legal figures, including Makerere University law lecturer Robert Kirunda and Court of Appeal Judge Cheborion Barishaki, paid tribute to his legacy.
This source is from the Daily Monitor.