Court Orders For Arrest Of Tortured Novelist Kakwenza

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Novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija

By Uganda Online Media

Kampala: The Chief Magistrates Court at Buganda Road has issued an arrest warrant against award-winning Ugandan author, Kakwenza Rukirabashaija for skipping bail.

According to the court, Kakwenza should be arrested on eyesight and brought back to face charges of offensive communication.

The troubled novelist was released on bail last month and later fled into exile in Germany where he said he went for specialized treatment for his torture wounds.

On Wednesday, when the case came up for hearing, the author was nowhere to be seen prompting the state prosecutor, Joan Keko to ask the court to issue an arrest warrant against Kakwenza, who, neither his sureties were in court.

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The audience was thrown into laughter when in response, Kakwenza’s lawyer, Samuel Wanda told the court that the writer was “within” the country and in a private facility where he is getting medication after being tortured by security.

The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate, Dr.Douglas Singiza consequently issued an arrest warrant against Kakwenza so that he is brought to court on the next date of April 11, 2022.

The State Attorney, Joan Keko also asked the court to penalize Kakwenza’s four sureties including lawyers David Lewis Rubongoya, 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.

In response, the defense lawyer said Galisonga had a case at the High Court that he was attending to whereas the National Unity Platform Secretary-General, Lewis Rubongoya was still engaged in party activities aimed at coming up with a candidate in the speakership race.

Trial magistrate, Dr.Douglas Singiza however issued criminal summons against the four sureties to appear next month.

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 the government.

The case has been adjourned to April 11, 2022.

Kakwenza was 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.

“On December 24, 2021, Kakwenza Rukirabashaija in the Kampala district willfully and repeatedly used his Twitter handled to disturb the peace of his excellency the president of Uganda General Yoweri Museveni with no purpose of legitimate communicate,” the charge sheet read in part.

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