The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to Ethiopian national Tigist Melkamu Ayalew, who is facing fraud-related charges in a case involving Shs917 million.
Ayalew is accused of conspiracy to commit a felony, obtaining money by false pretence, and carrying on private business without a valid permit. She is jointly charged with two Ugandan lawyers, Bob Mwanjuzi and Lawrence Kalamu, who were earlier released on bail.
Delivering his ruling on Friday, Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi said Ayalew had met the requirements for temporary release. He explained that she had shown proof of residence, presented substantial sureties, and there was no evidence that she had ever breached her police bond. He also noted her role as a mother of three young children who remain vulnerable in her absence.
The court directed Ayalew to deposit Shs5 million in cash and ordered that each of her two sureties be bonded at Shs100 million non-cash. She was further barred from leaving Uganda without permission, with her passport retained in court. The case was fixed for hearing on October 8, 2025.
Her lawyers, Mwesigwa Rukuntana and Bright Natumanya of TARA Advocates, argued that their client had a constitutional right to bail, was presumed innocent until proven guilty, and had consistently reported to police while on bond for eight months before her remand. They also pointed out that the disputed money is already the subject of a civil case in the High Court Commercial Division.
The prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya, opposed the application. He argued that Ayalew posed a flight risk, lacked a valid immigration status in Uganda, and that her sureties lacked financial capacity.
The magistrate, however, dismissed the objections, saying there was no proof she had ever absconded while on bond and that her passport remained in state custody. He added that questions about her immigration status were still under investigation and required proof beyond reasonable doubt.
In granting bail, Magistrate Kayizzi stressed that bail is a constitutional right rooted in the right to liberty, and that pre-trial detention should be an exception rather than the rule.
Ayalew, together with her co-accused, is accused of defrauding businesswoman Kalpana Abe of Shs917 million through a forged land lease agreement between January and August 2023.
