NTUNGAMO – The High Court has on Tuesday, September 15 granted bail to the State Minister for Labour Mwesigwa Rukutana.
The Ntungamo Chief Magistrates Court granted the minister bail on a UGX. 4 million bond. He was also ordered to deposit his passport.
Mr. Rukutana’s sureties included Gen. Jim Muhwezi, Mr. Bob Kabonero and Igara East MP Michael Mawanda and were bonded at UGX. 50 million non-cash.
Mr. Rukutana, has been in jail in Kitalya prison since September 8, after he was a week ago charged with seven counts including attempted murder.
The court, seating a day after Mr. Rukutana, who drew nationwide condemnation for his involvement in the ruling NRM elections violence on September 5, was charged with attempted murder in Ntungamo, and to Kitalya Prison in Wakiso, some 400 kilometres from his home in Rugongi, Rushenyi, Ntungamo district.
Mr. Rukutana and three of his police bodyguards are charged with attempted murder, assault and malicious damage.
Mr. Rukutana who first arrested by the police spent three days in detention at Mbarara police station following a confrontation in Ntungamo which left a supporter of an opponent injured has also been charged with causing bodily harm and malicious damage.
He was later charged together with three of his bodyguards before the Ntungamo Magistrates Court and remanded to Kyamugorani prison in Mbarara.
The four were charged and remanded by Ntungamo Magistrate Grade One, Namayanja Nazifah.
Predident Museveni in an early Monday morning Twitter thread seemingly disturbed by the violence and cheating in Friday’s NRM party primaries for MP flagbearers indicated that the minister and several others who caused violence countrywide would face criminal prosecution.
“The cheating in the NRM Primaries is over. Those who beat People, like in Bukono, are all in jail or on the run. Minister Rukutana is in jail and will be prosecuted. They will be fully accountable with robust charges: assault, attempted murder, murder etc”.
Mr. Rukutana was arrested on Saturday afternoon from his Rushenyi home.
Mr Rukutana was arrested after a reported shooting incident which left Mr. Dan Rwiburingi with serious head injuries as the Minister tussled for the NRM flag for Rushenyi County against veteran politician Naome Kabasharira.
The Minister who now says he never released bullets on to the victims as earlier reported has since lost the election too, as he navigates the criminal charges against him.
Mr Rwiburingi also says he was hit with another object in the head and not a bullet.
Mr. Rukutana drew nationwide condemnation when he was on Saturday morning pictured in the ugly incident, seizing a rifle from a bodyguard and threatening toh shoot.
Mr. Dan Rwiburingi, the victim is now nursing head injuries at Mbarara Referral hospital.
