By Hannah Marion Namukasa
Buganda Road court Chief Magistrates Dr.Douglas Singiza has issued a warrant of arrest against novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija for skipping bail.
The Warrant of arrest followed application by the Joan Keko following the absence of Kakwenza and all his four sureties in court
Kakwenza,, who was granted bail fled the country into exile in Germany.
However, when Kakwenza’s Lawyer Samuel Wanda was about the way about of his client, he told the court that the award winning writer was within the country and in a private facility where he is getting medication after being tortured by security but declined to give details.
In the same way, the trial magistrate, Dr.Douglas Singiza also issued criminal summons against the four sureties to appear in the next sitting after the State Attorney, Joan Keko requested court to penalize Kakwenza’s four sureties who include: National Unit Platform Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya , city lawyer Julius Galisonga, Kololo Secondary School teacher Annah Ashaba and activist Job Kiija who were all not present in court as was the case with the accused person.
During the next court proceedings, the trial magistrate said the four sureties will be asked to explain the whereabouts of Kakwenza or if not, they will have to pay the shs10 million bail money to government.
The chief Magistrate granted a warrant of arrest against Kakwenza and consequently adjourned the matter on April,11, 2022.
Kakwenza was presented in court and charged with offensive communication contrary to section 25 of the Computer Misuse Act 2011 for allegedly abusing President Museveni and the Commander of Land Forces, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba through social media.
