State Minister for Labour, Mwesigwa Rukutana has been charged and remanded to prison for his alleged involvement in violence in the wake of the NRM parliamentary primary elections in his home district of Ntungamo.
The minister was charged with seven counts of Attempted Murder, Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Malicious Damage and Threatening Violence.
Court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Nazifah Namayanja heard from prosecution among others that the minister, who is also the MP for Rushenyi Constituency on September 5th 2020 at Kagugu Viollage in Ntungamo district, unlawfully attempted to cause the death of one Daniel Rweburungi.
The State also claims the minister damaged the victim’s vehicle number UAR 840X and also verbally threatened to kill him.
Minister Rukutana together with his police bodyguards was involved in an altercation with Daniel and his colleagues who happened to be part of the minister’s political opponent.
In the heat of the moment, the minister allegedly drew his gun and shot at their vehicle.
However, Rukutana claims the group blocked his way and that he acted in self defense.
The Minister was remanded to Ntungamo Government Prison until tomorrow Tuesday.
However, we’ve learnt that instead of being taken to Ntungamo Prison, the prison guards acting on superior orders instead took him to Kakinga Prison in Mbarara
Speaking earlier today, President Yoweri Museveni condemned the incident in Ntungamo and such others which marred the NRM primary elections around the country.
Museveni said Minister Rukutana and other culprits would face the full stretch of the law.
