KAMPALA – Detained presidential hopeful Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde has arrived at City Hall Court in Kampala where he has been charged with treason, unlawful possession of firearms and 34 rounds of ammunition.
Lt. Gen Tumukunde has pleaded not guilty to two counts of treason and unlawful possession of firearms. Court advised him not to plead to the treason charge, for it is a capital offense only triable by the High Court. He’s been remanded to Luzira Prison till March 30, for mention.
He was brought in amidst heavy security deployment and media has been blocked from covering the court session.
Social media footage by journalist Abubaker Lubowa, Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde being helped to walk as he arrived at City Hall court. It is not clear whether the former security minister was tortured by security forces. However, there are reports that Gen Tumukunde was admitted to Kampala Hospital after collapsing in army detention.
A family member who did not want to be identified told this website that the former Security minister was rushed to hospital with a swollen leg on Sunday, March 15, 2020, after his health deteriorated on Saturday night.
It was not immediately clear what caused the swelling but his family member attributed it to psychological torture such as standing for long hours and dehydration.
“I think it’s because of standing for so long but we are waiting for the medical report,” the family member said.
The swollen leg, the family member said, is believed to be the one that was shot during the Bush War.
His lawyers Oscar Kambona and Alex Luganda who also accompanied him at the court had also on Tuesday demanded his unconditional release.
In their application filed before the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court on Tuesday, the lawyers led by Anthony Wameli and Godfrey Turyamusiima allege that Tumukunde and 14 others were beyond the mandatory 48 hours without any charges against them since their arrest on March 12th.
Those arrested alongside Gen. Tumukunde are Tororo North County MP Annet Nyakecho, her husband Otim Levy, Kiiza Arthur, Nancy Atimango, John Manyala, Zion Oboth, Walter Ebong, Alere Walter Raymond, Rhoda Akello, Joyce Ocoko Julian, Labeja Kevin David, Dennis Okello, and Richard Komaketch.
