Mwesigwa Rukutana, a regime’s powerful Minister earned himself a night in jail after he attempted to shoot civilians on Saturday during post election violence in Ntungamo District.
Rukutana lost the NRM primaries for Rushenyi county to Naome Kabasharira.
In a video which has since broken internet, unidentified people in a car are overheard begging the Minister for mercy as he seized a gun from his bodyguard. The incident led to his arrest.
Rukutana who at first rubbished reports that he had been arrested and was at his home enjoying a meal, would later appear at Mbarara Central Police where he spent a night.
Police spokesperson Polly Namaye told this website that Rukutana and three of his escorts face attempted murder charges.
UPDF administration a few days ago warned politicians particularly government officials against involving its soldiers in partisan political campaigns.
Brig. Flavia Byekwaso said those found liable their guards could be recalled.
Speaking on the incident which compelled him to grab a gun, Rukutana told sections of the media that he had been intercepted by unknown ‘goons’ on the road from his home.
They blocked the road with cars- a Toyota Premio and Rav4 registration number UAQ 840X and efforts to convince these people to remove their cars and allow the minister who was accompanied by his family proceed to Kayonza to bury an in-law were unsuccessful.
After considerable time of negotiations, Rukutana lost his temper and wanted to clear the way with a gun.
THE TRUTH
The above narrative peddled by Rukutana and his henchmen has been dispelled by witness who spoke to this website on Sunday night.
The witness said he belonged to neither camp (Rukutana- Kabasharira).
“I am in Ntungamo to support one candidate who is neither Rukutana nor Kabasharira,” said a witness who wished not to be named fearing Rukutana’s men could hunt him down.
The Rushenyi County NRM contest attracted six candidates but the race was between three rivals; Naome Kabasharira who won, Rukutana (second) and Bob Nahabwe who came third.
The contest is considered the most violent in this year’s NRM primaries.
A witness added that it is true Rukutana was blocked by some people who were led by Dan Rweiburingi, an FDC member who publicly proclaimed his support for Naome Kabasharira.
His pronouncement rattled Rukutana who a few days ago warned Rweiburingi in a video that circulated on Whatsapp.
Rukutana cautioned Rweiburingi to back off the election since he is FDC and failure to comply would “raise stakes high.”
“So it is not true Rukutana was intercepted near his home. He was intercepted near Omungyenyi village on his way to Rubaare town. He was from his home in Rugongi,” said a witness.
This website understands that Rweiburingi and team intercepted the minister following credible intelligence that he was carrying registers which had earlier disappeared from Rubaare town council.
But Rukutana’s camp claimed that the registers were stolen by a gang loyal to Kabasharira.
“Someone from Rukutana’s camp told Rweiburingi that the minister was on his way to Rubaare with the same registers and also wanted to buy off voters. That is why they blocked him demanding that they check his cars,” added a witness.
The witnesses said it is not true Rukutana was going to the burial.
Rukutana considers Rubaare town his backyard. The election in this sub county has been suspended following theft of registers.
According to the witness, Rukutana thinks that the votes from Rubaare could influence the final results.
He has lost most of the sub counties to Kabasharira and his hopes are hinged on Rubaare….”that is why he is ready to kill but won’t lose Rubaare.”
Battlefield
Having attempted to shoot while at Omungyenyi, Rweiburingi and his team drove off to Rubaare town. But Rukutana instructed his driver and all the cars in his convoy to trail “that FDC man.”
Minutes after Rweiburingi and his squad had arrived in the town, a charged Rukutana, his guards and supporters stormed and a mother of wars broke out which lasted for over an hour.
In the scuffle, Rweiburungi’s car a RAV4 was shot at.
“What remains factual is Rweiburingi wasn’t shot. But injured by Rukutana’s men. But one of the guard sprayed bullets all over the place,” a witness said.
Rweiburingi is currently admitted to Mbarara Hospital with deep head injuries.
Unpopular?
The people of Rushenyi County which Rukutana has represented in Parliament for 2 decades approached Naome Kabasharira and asked her to vie for the same seat and promised overwhelming support.
The people of Rushenyi said they were tired of being “used” by Rukutana who promises them hot air during campaigns and only returns to the constituency “with bags of money” to buy off support in elections.
His fate was sealed earlier this year when he made a statement while addressing residents of Rugarama, “abantu ba Rushenyi ahimbasiga niho mbashanga..” a Runyankore comment which means that the people of Rushenyi are like statues, where he leaves them is where he finds them.
