Minister Rukutana granted bail

Ntungamo Chief Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Sara Mponye Kolya, on Tuesday (September 15, 2020) granted State Minister for Labour, Mwesigwa Rukutana a sh4m cash bail and bonded each of his four sureties a non-cash bail of sh50 million each.

Rukutana, who was arrested on Saturday September 5, alongside his three bodyguards who included Police Constable (PC) No. 46613 Pual Agec, No. 62477 PC Faizo Kazoola, RA 215020L/CPL John Bosco Okello and his driver Napoleon Nuwamanya, has spent 10 days in prison.

His arrest followed skirmishes involving Dan Rweiburingi the former Rushenyi County aspirant on the Forum for Democratic Change ticket, a key supporter of Naomi Kabasharira, Rukutana’s opponent in the National Resistance Movement primaries.

Rukutana has been on remand at Kitalya Prison since September 7, 2020 after being charged with seven crimes including attempted murder, assault, malicious damage to property, and threatening violence.

This follows an incident where Rweiburingi was injured in an election-related brawl. Earlier on, a lower court had remanded him to a local prison for a day over the same charges.

Rukutana’s four sureties include former Minister for Information Rtd Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, Igara East Member of Parliament Michael Mawanda, Kampala based businessman Robert Bob Kabonero and Rubaare businessman Hajji Ali Muteeba.

Rukutana has denied firing any bullets. His lawyers issued a statement claiming no bullet was fired by the minister or his guards during the fracas that happened in Ntungamo after NRM primaries.