Wakilii

Twebaze Drake v Uganda [2026] UGHCACD 22

High Court · 2026 Bail Granted AI-generated summary ↓ Download Pin to watchlist Add to matter
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Type
Application for bail pending trial before the High Court
Decision
Bail granted on conditions, including a cash bond of UGX 30,000,000, deposit of the residence title and passport, and each surety executing a non-cash bond of UGX 100,000,000.

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Holding

The applicant, remanded on a money laundering charge triable only by the High Court, applied for bail. The court held that the grant of bail is a discretionary exercise governed by the Trial on Indictments Act and the 2022 Bail Guidelines. It found the applicant had proved a fixed place of abode, produced substantial sureties capable of compelling his attendance, and had complied with bail conditions on his earlier release. Proof of exceptional circumstances such as advanced age or ill-health was not mandatory. Weighing these factors against the seriousness and alleged syndicated nature of the offences, the court granted bail on conditions.

Outcome

Bail granted on conditions, including a cash bond of UGX 30,000,000, deposit of the residence title and passport, and each surety executing a non-cash bond of UGX 100,000,000.

Facts

The applicant, Twebaze Drake, was the third accused in a criminal case before the Chief Magistrate's Court at Buganda Road. He was charged on 30 October 2025, pleaded not guilty, and was granted cash bail the same day, with which he complied, attending court for every mention. On 29 June 2026 the charge sheet was amended to add the offence of money laundering, which is triable only by the High Court. His bail was cancelled and he was remanded to Murchison Bay Prison, Luzira. He maintains a residence at Mpala, Wakiso District, where he lives with his wife and children on property valued at UGX 2,200,000,000. He is of advanced age and suffers persistent health complications, and his national identity card had expired but renewal was pending. He proposed four sureties, being his siblings and their spouses, resident in Wakiso District, each supported by introduction letters from Local Council Chairpersons. The State opposed bail, contending he faced nine counts, was a flight risk, and that his sureties were not substantial.

Issues

  1. Whether the applicant should be released on bail pending trial.
  2. Whether the applicant has a fixed place of abode within the jurisdiction of the Court.
  3. Whether the applicant produced sound and substantial sureties.
  4. Whether the applicant had previously failed to comply with bail conditions.

Orders

  • The Applicant shall pay a cash bond of UGX 30,000,000.
  • The Applicant shall deposit the certificate of title to his residence.
  • The Applicant shall deposit his passport with the court.
  • The Sureties shall each execute a non-cash bond of UGX 100,000,000.

Rules and key headnotes

Criminal Law & Procedure — Bail — Jurisdiction over Money Laundering Offences
The jurisdiction to try offences under the Anti-Money Laundering Act is vested solely in the High Court, and consequently only the High Court has the exclusive mandate to entertain applications for bail in such cases.
Criminal Law & Procedure — Bail — Nature of Judicial Discretion
The grant of bail is an exercise of judicial discretion to be exercised according to the rules of reason, justice and law within the limits of the enabling legislation, and not on private opinion, arbitrariness or fanciful considerations.
Criminal Law & Procedure — Bail — Fixed Place of Abode
A fixed place of abode means an address to which an applicant can be traced if required, and whether an applicant has such a fixed place of abode is a question of fact.
Criminal Law & Procedure — Bail — Suitability and Substance of Sureties
The substance of a surety goes beyond physical identification and requires the capacity to influence and compel the accused to attend trial and to meet the terms of the bond, which the court must evaluate.
Criminal Law & Procedure — Bail — Exceptional Circumstances
Proof of exceptional circumstances is not mandatory for the grant of bail.
Criminal Law & Procedure — Bail — Antecedents and Prior Compliance
An applicant's antecedents have predictive value for likely conduct on bail, and consistent compliance with bail conditions on a previous release supports the grant of bail.

Legislation cited (12)

Cases cited (6)

  • R v Board of Education [1990] 2 KB 165
  • Hon Sam Kuteesa and Others v Attorney General (Constitutional Reference No. 46 of 2011)
  • Nabiimara Doreen v Uganda (Miscellaneous Application No. 26 of 2026)
  • Obam Andrew v Uganda (Miscellaneous Application No. 49 of 2025)
  • Migisha Akleo v Uganda (Miscellaneous Application No. 36 of 2025)
  • Foundation for Human Rights Initiative v Attorney General (Supreme Court Constitutional Appeal No. 3 of 2009)

Full judgment

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Twebaze Drake v Uganda [2026] UGHCACD 22 (5 August 2026)
Source: this page presents Wakilii’s issue analysis and metadata for a publicly reported Ugandan judgment. Any AI-generated summary is marked as such. Judgment text is sourced from the Uganda Legal Information Institute (ulii.org). Wakilii is not affiliated with ULII.