The Ntungamo Chief Magistrate’s Court presided over by Sarah Mponye Kolya has today adjourned Labour Minister Mwesigwa Rukutana’s case to 20th January, 2021 when he will appear in court for the next hearing.
The case was rescheduled for the next year after the accused (Rukutana) failed to appear in court today with the Magistrate saying that the criminal summons will stay nonetheless.
According to his lawyers led by Owen Murangira of LSA Advocates due to sickness he could not attend court in person but assured the court that next time he will be able to appear.
Counsel Murangira rubbished the charges against his client by his opponent Ms Naome Kabasharira and her group noting that it was politically motivated since the complainants refused to surface in court.
State prosecution led by Eunice Mbaine did not object to the extension of court bail but said that the investigations are still ongoing and need ample time to be completed.
Hon. Rukutana is charged with seven counts of attempted murder, malicious damage, assault and four counts of threatening violence to several complainants following the violence that marred the Rushenyi county NRM primaries on 5th September 2020.