Novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has responded to a warrant of arrest issued by Buganda Road Court on March 23.
Chief magistrate Dr Douglas Singiza issued a warrant of arrest for Rukirabashaija after he failed to turn up in court as expected.
Even his sureties — NUP secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya, lawyer Julius Galisonga, Kololo Secondary School teacher Annah Ashaba and activist Job Kiija — did not come.
Defence lawyer Samuel Wanda told court that Rukirabashaija was being treated at a private health facility; that Counsel Galisonga was in the High Court representing a client; that SG Rubongoya was in NUP meetings discussing the speaker race; and that Teacher Ashaba had asked to step down as Rukirabashaija’s surety.
Resident state attorney Joan Keko asked court to issue summons for Rukirabashaija and his sureties. Singiza agreed with Keko, issuing a warrant of arrest for Rukirabashaija and criminal summons for the sureties.
The sureties are expected to explain where the novelist is and may be compelled to pay bail money. But the novelist asked first son Muhoozi Kainerugaba to send his transport money and his passport so that he can return home.
“[Muhoozi] should send me transport money. Via Western Union. Together with my passport. Then I’ll appear in their court,” wrote Rukirabashaija.
“I don’t know why the magistrate is supergluing on my case yet it’s obese for him. He should send me my passport and transport money.”
ABOUT KAKWENZA’S WOES
On January 11, court charged Rukirabashaija with disturbing President Museveni’s and son’s peace. (Read story here).
He had been in detention since December 28 when he was arrested from Kisaasi, Kampala after he reportedly attacked President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni and his son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba on Twitter (Read story here).
A Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) medical report contained shocking revelations about the alleged torture of the Muhoozi critic. (Read the story here).
After leaving detention, the novelist claimed that Muhoozi had met him and promised him money and a juicy job. (Read Story Here).
But the first son has insisted he doesn’t know ‘this boy.’ (Read Story Here).
Rukirabashaija would later flee Uganda through Rwanda. (Read Story Here).
