The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has slapped new charges of armed robbery against Labour minister Mwesigwa Rukutana over the violent incident in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries in Ntungamo in September.
Sources at the DPP on Tuesday revealed that DPP Justice Jane Abodo has amended the charge sheet in the case against Mr Rukutuna.
“The charge sheet was amended and the case file has been sent to court in Ntungamo where he [Rukutana] is slated to appear,” said a DPP official, who declined to be named.
The deputy DPP spokesperson, Ms Irene Nakimbugwe, yesterday confirmed the new charges against Rukutana but declined to give further details.
“It is true but details of the matter will only be got when the case comes to court. He [Rukutana] will appear in court anytime soon,” Ms Nakimbugwe said.
The case
Mr Rukutana, a former deputy Attorney General, who is also the current MP for Rushenyi County, was earlier in September charged with attempted murder, assault, malicious damage to property and threatening violence following the incident during the NRM primaries in Rushenyi.
Rukutana is accused of shooting a supporter of Ms Naome Kabasharira, his rival for the parliamentary seat.
He, however, denied the charges and was later released on bail.
The prosecution contends that Mr Rukutana assaulted Kabasharira’s supporter, Mr Julius Nuwamanya, and inflicted bodily harm.
He is also accused of damaging a vehicle belonging to one Mr Moses Muhumuza. The prosecution further contends that Mr Rukutana and others still at large threatened violence against Mr Muhumuza, Mr Nuwamanya, Mr Stuart Kamukama, and Mr Rweiburingi.
Background
Labour State minister Mwesigwa Rukutana and his escorts were arrested on allegations of shooting and injuring Mr Rweiburingi in an election brawl. The victim is a supporter of Ms Kabasharira, a political rival to Mr Rukutana in the September NRM primaries in the race for Rushenyi County parliamentary flag bearer.
Police later said in a statement that Mr Rukutana had been arrested on allegations of attempted murder by shooting. President Museveni tweeted that Mr Rukutana and others, who caused violence and attacked Ugandans during the NRM elections would be prosecuted.
Kabasharira was initially declared winner of the primaries for Rushenyi parliamentary flag bearer. However, upon Mr Rukutuna’s petition to the party electoral commission, Kabasharira’s victory was overturned and he was declared the flag bearer for Rushenyi.