By Joseph Kiggundu
The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to eight intern doctors who were charged with being a public nuisance following a protest over delayed allowances on Parliamentary Avenue in Kampala .
Grade One Magistrate Rophine Achayo ruled that the accused persons were entitled to bail since the offence they face is bailable under Ugandan law and carries a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment.
“The accused persons are charged with a bailable offence and this court has jurisdiction to entertain their bail application,” Ms Achayo ruled.
The eight interns — Dr Kagahe Jamadah, Nantege Jane, Mukiibi Lawrence William, Wamuwaya Nicholas, Ssengonga Silver, Okwir Allan, Kirunda Daniel, and Ggala Luke — are accused of blocking traffic during a demonstration on August 12, 2026, along Parliamentary Avenue in Kampala Central Division.
Prosecution alleges that while dressed in white coats and carrying placards, the interns caused inconvenience to traffic and public order. The placards reportedly bore messages such as “NO PAY, NO REPORTING” and “PAY MEDICAL INTERNS FOR THE GOOD OF ALL UGANDANS.”
Prosecution led by Mr Allan Mucunguzi had objected to the bail application for five of the accused, arguing that their sureties were not substantial since they were “just friends” who could not compel them to return to court. However the court overruled his objection, agreeing with the defence’s submission that the law does not specify the exact relationship between an accused and a surety.
“A friend or workmate is a valid relationship in the eyes of the court,” defence lawyer Barnabas Tikasimiire told court.
He further told court that all the accused persons had fixed places of residence, verified by local council leaders. In her ruling, Magistrate Achayo agreed with the defence, noting that friendship and professional association were sufficient relationships for bail sureties.
“Friendship is a relationship, and a workmate is also a relationship. The court finds no sufficient reason to deny bail,” she ruled. The court granted each accused a cash bail of Shs200,000 and non-cash sureties of Shs3 million.
They were also ordered to desist from committing any further offences while on bail. The interns were subsequently released from remand at Luzira Prison pending the next hearing scheduled for September 21.
The case has drawn public attention, with many viewing the protest as part of growing frustration among medical interns over delayed remuneration and working conditions in public hospitals. The ruling comes amid heightened scrutiny of public demonstrations in Kampala, especially those involving professionals demanding better working conditions.