The hearing of a criminal case involving three supporters of Rukiga District Chairperson Simon Mutebi Rwamagyenda has been adjourned after one of the accused failed to appear in court due to the burial of a close relative.
The accused are Daniel Atwiine Rwamagyenda, 58, the biological father of Chairperson Simon Mutebi Rwamagyenda, Philemon Murangira, 23, and Peter Nangwana, 26. All three are residents of Kigara Parish in Kamwezi Sub-county, Rukiga District.
They are jointly charged with causing grievous harm and malicious damage to property following an alleged election-related attack on Brian Tinkashaba, a coordinator for former Rukiga District chairperson candidate Michael Kwarikunda Mbareeba, on polling day.
According to the prosecution, the trio assaulted Tinkashaba, causing him serious injuries, and maliciously damaged his motor vehicle, registration number UBL 889G. The incident was reported at Rukiga Central Police Station, leading to their arrest. They were later released on police bond.
After the expiry of their police bond, the accused appeared before the Rukiga Grade One Magistrate’s Court sitting at Muhanga Town Council headquarters in Bukinda on April 16, 2026. They were formally charged with causing grievous harm, contrary to Section 102 of the Penal Code Act, and malicious damage to property, contrary to Section 212(1) of the same Act. They denied the charges and were subsequently granted bail.
The case was initially scheduled for hearing on May 19, 2026, but was adjourned after Grade One Magistrate Julius Mutabazi noted that the court had no State Attorney available to prosecute the matter. A State Attorney was later deployed to the court.
When the case came up again for hearing on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, it was adjourned for a second time after one of the accused sought permission to be absent to attend the burial of a close relative.
Without revealing the identity of the accused, Magistrate Mutabazi told court that the accused had informed him he was attending the burial of Mirindi Kemigisha, a resident of Rwamatunguru Trading Centre in Kamwezi Sub-county, whose funeral was being held on Wednesday afternoon.
The magistrate said the court independently verified the death and was satisfied that the accused was a close relative of the deceased, making his absence from court justified. The case was consequently adjourned to September 22, 2026, when the hearing is expected to commence-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
