MPs flock Luzira to see Muhwezi
May 30, 2007
SEVERAL MPs and a big number of relatives and friends flocked to Luzira Prisons yesterday to visit former health minister Jim Muhwezi, on remand since Monday on charges of abuse of office and theft.
By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
and Hillary Nsambu
SEVERAL MPs and a big number of relatives and friends flocked to Luzira Prisons yesterday to visit former health minister Jim Muhwezi, on remand since Monday on charges of abuse of office and theft.
Muhwezi’s visitors included a delegation of 30 elders and opinion leaders from Rukungiri, led by Canon Justus Rwabugaire.
Others who turned up at the prison gates were President Museveni’s daughter and son-in-law Patience and Odrek Rwabwogo.
Uganda’s representative to the UN, Adonia Ayebare, also called on Muhwezi in the afternoon, as did hotelier Karim Hirji and Tristar manager Kananathan.
The MPs who visited Muhwezi included Margaret Muhanga (Kabarole), Felix Okot Ogong (Dokolo), David Bahati (Ndorwa West), Henry Banyenzaki (Rubanda West), Sam Byanagwa (Rukiga County), Mwesigwa Rukutana, state minister for labour and MP for Rushenyi, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi (Kinkizi East), Sekitoleko Kabonesa (Kibale) and Steven Tashobya (Kajara). They spent about an hour chatting with Muhwezi.
A source said it was an emotional moment when Muhwezi’s mother, Eva Katugugu, and mother-in-law, Constance Kabonero, visited him at Murchison Bay.
His co-accused, former junior health minister, Mike Mukala and Fred Mukasa Mbidde of the Democratic Party also visited him.
“As MPs, we are closely following the events in this case. We want all the cases of corruption to be treated in the same way,†Ogong commented.
During a press briefing at the Media Centre, internal affairs minister Ruhakana Rugunda said Muhwezi and his co-accused were treated like any other Ugandans.
“Muhwezi, Mukula and Kamugisha are not getting special treatment. They are treated with respect like any other Ugandans facing the law. Their innocence should be presumed.â€
Muhwezi is to appear in the High Court today for his bail application. His lawyers will argue that their client is suffering from hypertension and diabetes and that he is of advanced age. Muhwezi turns 57 in August. The case will be heard by Justice Moses Mukiibi.
Earlier, Muhwezi had said he was not in a hurry to get bail. The former Minister of Health has been accused of mismanaging over sh1b of donor funds, received as an award from the Global Alliance for Vaccines Immunisation (GAVI).
President Museveni last year instructed the Inspector General of Government to investigate the alleged misuse of the funds.
The IGG report implicated Muhwezi and his former deputies, Mike Mukula and Dr. Alex Kamugisha, as well as former State House employee Alice Kaboyo. The three have been released on bail.
and Hillary Nsambu
SEVERAL MPs and a big number of relatives and friends flocked to Luzira Prisons yesterday to visit former health minister Jim Muhwezi, on remand since Monday on charges of abuse of office and theft.
Muhwezi’s visitors included a delegation of 30 elders and opinion leaders from Rukungiri, led by Canon Justus Rwabugaire.
Others who turned up at the prison gates were President Museveni’s daughter and son-in-law Patience and Odrek Rwabwogo.
Uganda’s representative to the UN, Adonia Ayebare, also called on Muhwezi in the afternoon, as did hotelier Karim Hirji and Tristar manager Kananathan.
The MPs who visited Muhwezi included Margaret Muhanga (Kabarole), Felix Okot Ogong (Dokolo), David Bahati (Ndorwa West), Henry Banyenzaki (Rubanda West), Sam Byanagwa (Rukiga County), Mwesigwa Rukutana, state minister for labour and MP for Rushenyi, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi (Kinkizi East), Sekitoleko Kabonesa (Kibale) and Steven Tashobya (Kajara). They spent about an hour chatting with Muhwezi.
A source said it was an emotional moment when Muhwezi’s mother, Eva Katugugu, and mother-in-law, Constance Kabonero, visited him at Murchison Bay.
His co-accused, former junior health minister, Mike Mukala and Fred Mukasa Mbidde of the Democratic Party also visited him.
“As MPs, we are closely following the events in this case. We want all the cases of corruption to be treated in the same way,†Ogong commented.
During a press briefing at the Media Centre, internal affairs minister Ruhakana Rugunda said Muhwezi and his co-accused were treated like any other Ugandans.
“Muhwezi, Mukula and Kamugisha are not getting special treatment. They are treated with respect like any other Ugandans facing the law. Their innocence should be presumed.â€
Muhwezi is to appear in the High Court today for his bail application. His lawyers will argue that their client is suffering from hypertension and diabetes and that he is of advanced age. Muhwezi turns 57 in August. The case will be heard by Justice Moses Mukiibi.
Earlier, Muhwezi had said he was not in a hurry to get bail. The former Minister of Health has been accused of mismanaging over sh1b of donor funds, received as an award from the Global Alliance for Vaccines Immunisation (GAVI).
President Museveni last year instructed the Inspector General of Government to investigate the alleged misuse of the funds.
The IGG report implicated Muhwezi and his former deputies, Mike Mukula and Dr. Alex Kamugisha, as well as former State House employee Alice Kaboyo. The three have been released on bail.