MINISTER RUKUTANA’S CASE: PROSECUTION GIVEN ONE DAY TO PRODUCE WITNESSES

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Ntungamo—

Court in Ntungamo has given prosecution only one more day to produce its witnesses intended to pin the State Minister for Labor Mwesigwa Rukutana, who failed to appear for the hearing that was scheduled for yesterday

Rukutana is charged with four criminal cases of attempted murder, assault, malicious damage and threatening violence.

The hearing which was meant to start yesterday was adjourned by Gordon Muhimbise, the Ntungamo chief Magistrate after the Prosecution side led by Richard Muhereza told the court that he was not ready with witnesses.

Muhereza asked the court that the case be adjourned for two weeks to allow him to prepare his witnesses.

Rukutana’s Lawyers led by Caleb Alaka of Alaka & Co. Advocates objected to the prayer and asked the Magistrate to dismiss the case since the prosecution had a lot of time to prepare but could not produce any tangible results.

Muhimbise said that the prosecution was given enough time of five days to prosecute the case, and being the first day, they should be given the opportunity to produce their witnesses in the remaining days.

Muhimbise, however, overruled the prosecution’s prayer and adjourned the hearing of the case to the next day, Tuesday 13th April 2021 at 9:00 Am.

Rukutana who is the state minister for Labour and the incumbent Member of Parliament for Rushenyi county in Ntungamo district was arrested alongside his escorts on Saturday 5th, Sept, 2020 at around 10 am for maliciously shooting and damaging the motor vehicle (RAV4) belonging to Dan Rweiburungi a resident of Kagugu parish Rubare sub county a supporter of Hon. Naome Kabasharira.

The Chief Magistrate court in Ntungamo presided over by Sarah Kolya on 8^th Sept.2020 remanded State minister for Labor Mwesigwa Rukutana and his 4 co-accused escorts to prison until 15th, Sept, 2020.

He later on 15th September was granted Bail.

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