State Minister for Labour, Mwesigwa Rukutana has been temporarily set free by the Ntungamo Magistrate’s Court. Rukutana was granted a Shs4 million cash bail.
His sureties that included Former minister Jim Muhwezi, Igara East MP Michael Mawanda and businessman Bob Kabonero have also been ordered to pay Shs50m, non cash.
Rukutana has spent a week on remand at Kitalya Prison in Mityana District over charges of attempted murder, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, threatening violence, and malicious damage to property.
The Minister was arrested on September 5 together with his four bodyguards following a violate exchange between the minister and supporters of his rival Naome Kabasharira who had defeated him in the NRM primaries.
Through his lawyers led by led by Owen Murangira, Rukutana denies shooting at anyone.
In their defense, “The people who were in the car that blocked the road refused to remove the blockade and exchanged lots of insults with the minister for which one of the persons in the car that had blocked the road was seen by the Minister darkling down in the co-driver’s seat to pick a weapon for which the Minister then returned back to his car to also secure a weapon to scare away the armed people in the car that had blocked the road and also to protect himself and his son.”
They add, “At no point did the Minister nor his bodyguard release any bullet. The weapons of the Minister’s guard and his weapons were all retrieved by police and are available for inspection and the truth shall be established that the weapons never released any bullet nor is there any shell of any bullet at the scene.”
Meanwhile the ruling NRM Electoral Commission boss Dr Tanga Odoi a few days ago cancelled the Rushenyi MP primary elections and called for recounting of the votes. And today he is set to announce the winner.