Kabale court grants bail to NUP’s Tukamushaba
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Byamugisha noted that the offence with which the accused is charged is bailable and that she had satisfied the court of her willingness to comply with the bail conditions.
Jolly Jackline Tukamushaba was on February 6, 2026, arraigned before the Chief Magistrate of Kabale, Derrick Byamugisha, and formally charged with the offence. (File photo)
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The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kabale has granted bail to Jolly Jackline Tukamushaba, the deputy president for western Uganda of the National Unity Platform (NUP), pending further hearing of her criminal case.
Tukamushaba, who was the NUP flag bearer for the Rukiga district woman Member of Parliament seat in the January 15, 2026, elections, is facing charges of inciting violence contrary to Section 79(1) of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128.
She was on February 6, 2026, arraigned before the Chief Magistrate of Kabale, Derrick Byamugisha, and formally charged with the offence.
The prosecution, led by Isaac Onyango, informed the court that between December 2025 and January 2026, Tukamushaba allegedly incited members of the public to commit acts of violence in the districts of Rukiga, Kabale and Rukungiri.
The State further alleged that she urged individuals to attack supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) on account of their political affiliation.
Upon the charges being read and explained to her, Tukamushaba entered a plea of not guilty. She was subsequently remanded to Ndorwa Government Prison until February 24, 2026, to allow the State to complete its investigations.
Her court appearance followed weeks of uncertainty surrounding her whereabouts. Tukamushaba had reportedly been in custody for several weeks after she allegedly went missing on January 14, 2026, while distributing agents’ appointment letters and facilitation ahead of the January 15 elections. She resurfaced three weeks later in state custody before being presented to court.
On Thursday (February 19), she was produced in court following a production warrant application by her lawyer, Godwin Masereka, for the hearing of her bail application.
In support of the application, the defence presented four sureties: Leopold Twesigye, Emmanuel Turyasigura, Twesigye Luke and Jiripina Kamusiime. The court found the sureties substantial and suitable.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Byamugisha noted that the offence with which the accused is charged is bailable and that she had satisfied the court of her willingness to comply with the bail conditions.
“The accused has the right to apply for bail. The State has not specifically shown court how the accused will interfere with the community,” Byamugisha ruled.
He accordingly granted her cash bail of sh1 million, while each of the four sureties was bonded at sh5 million non-cash.
The matter was adjourned to February 24, 2026, for mention and further directions as investigations by the State continue.
The case has attracted attention in the Kigezi sub-region, particularly given Tukamushaba’s position within NUP’s national leadership and her recent participation in the highly contested parliamentary race in Rukiga district.
As the legal process unfolds, both the prosecution and defence are expected to prepare for further proceedings, with the State tasked to complete investigations ahead of the next court appearance.