Buganda Road Court has on Wednesday afternoon released Makerere University don Stella Nyanzi on a shs 1o million non cash bail.
Magistrate Eremye Mawanda cautioned the radical researcher to respect the subjudice rule after considering her bail grounds and her 5 sureties.
Dr Nyanzi was charged on April 10th with Cyber Harassment (against Sec 24 of the Computer Misuse Act of 2011) and Offensive Communication (against Sect 25 of the same Act).
According to prosecution, Nyanzi, on January 28 this year used a computer to post on her Facebook page, a suggestion or proposal referring President Yoweri Museveni as among others “a pair of buttocks” which is obscene or indecent.
Dr. Nyanzi appeared in court today in bad physical shape, and needed support to walk into the courtroom.
Her lawyers led by Counsel Nicholas Opiyo told court that she had a malaria bout.
These applied for their client to be released today, on several grounds, among them her health condition.
The defense also pointed out that Nyanzi; a single mother was out of employment and had been in custody for a long time.
The outspoken activist was stood surety by Dr. Moses Khisa, Solome Nakawesi, Sheillah Nyanzi (Stella’s sister), Geoffrey Wokulira, a digital rights activist and Nalongo Nana Namata.
The sureties were placed on a Shs 10Million non cash bond each.
Court also demanded that she refrains from discussing the merits of the case against her and that her passport and those of her sureties be deposited with the police for “safe keeping.”
The Magistrate in his ruling however, directed for the confiscation of Nyanzi’s passport, but ordered for those of her sureties to be returned.
Meanwhile, Prosecution told court that they are still interested in having Nyanzi mentally examined, saying it is State’s duty to help citizens overcome such challenges.
High Court earlier declined an application by Nyanzi to stop her mental health examination.