Key witnesses in the case where State Minister for Labor and industrial development is accused of attempted murder, assault, malicious damage and threatening violence have told chief magistrates court in Ntungamo that Mwesigwa Rukutana did not shoot at supporters of his former rival during the last year’s NRM party primaries.
Rukutana, early September last year was accused of these four criminal cases and was subsequently arrested with three of his bodyguards and later remanded to Kitalya government prison in Wakiso after appearing before Grade one court. He was later granted bail on 15th September 2020.
Prosecution then alleged that Rukutana shot at a Toyota Rav-4, registration number UAQ 840X, and in the process injured one of the occupants identified as Dan Rwibirungi.
But today as hearing of the case commenced before Gordon Muhimbise, the Acting chief Magistrate Ntungamo magisterial area, two prosecution witnesses Muhumuza Moses and Kamukama Justus who were both travelling in the vehicle said that Rukutana did not shoot at the vehicle that he shuttered using a stick and gun butt.
Muhumuza said Rukutana emerged from his official vehicle with a stick and started smashing the vehicle and later grabbed a gun which he used to threaten them in the car.
Area senior Resident State Attorney Richard Muhereza presented seven witnesses in the court presided over by the chief magistrate.
Pictures of the damaged vehicle were presented but were not exhibited by court as they were contested by the defense lawyers.
Hearing of the case is still ongoing proceeding with the other witness. Rukutana is represented by a team of six lawyers led by Caleb Alaka of Caleb Alaka and co. advocates
