Maj Rwakanuma's bail pushed to August 10
Aug 04, 2020
Rwakanuma is facing charges under the Firearms Act Cap 299 and Penal Code Act Cap 120, respectively. The offences attract a maximum sentence of 10 and 7 years’ imprisonment, upon conviction.
COURT
KAMPALA - General Court Martial (GCM) Chairman Lt.Gen Andrew Gutti has pushed hearing of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) retired Maj Steven Rwakanuma's bail to August 10.
Rwakanuma, 65, is currently on remand at Kitalya prison in Wakiso district over charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
On Tuesday, Rwakanuma asked the court to release him on bail on grounds that bail is a constitutional right and that he has substantial sureties to stand him out.
He also informed the court that he is of advanced age and the prison condition could deteriorate his health.
Rwakanuma is facing charges under the Firearms Act Cap 299 and Penal Code Act Cap 120, respectively. The offences attract a maximum sentence of 10 and 7 years' imprisonment, upon conviction.
On July 24, High Court judge Anthony Oyuk Ojok referred his bail application to the army court saying it is better placed to handle his bail.
Rwakanuma is the coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation in Insigiro district and has been on remand at Kitalya prison since June 3.
"I think this application is wrongly placed before this court. Since he is battling the charges before the army court, it is prudent that it handles his bail and determine whether he will be able to attend trial once released on bail," Ojok ruled.
Prosecution alleges that on or around May 22, 2020 while at Rwebicuncu, Nyabugando-Nshenyi in Insigiro district, Rwakanuma was found in unlawful possession of a firearm to wit; SAR number 9857, the said firearm being ordinarily a monopoly of the Defence Forces.
It is purported that during the same place and time, the accused unlawfully possessed 30 rounds of ammunition.
Prosecution further asserts that the accused was found unlawfully wearing UPDF military uniform of desert camouflage type, therefore subject to military law by virtue of section 119 (1) h (i) and (ii) of the UPDF Act, 2005.
Rwakanuma is a resident of Rwebicuncu, Nyabugando-Nshenyi in Insigiro district. His relatives blame his woes to intrigue.
Rwakanuma was arrested on May 22 and arraigned in General Court Martial on June 3.
Who is Maj. Rwakanuma?
He was born on October 18, 1959 in Rubare, Ntungamo district.
Rwakanuma joined Uganda Army in 1976 at age of 17 in Mbarara at Kakyeka.
He is one of the survivors of Israel attack at Entebbe airport.
1980, he was arrested by former president Milton Obote for supporting UPM with Francis Mwebesa and Bitarakwate of Rukoni.
He was consequently sent on remand where he met col Ahmed Kashilingi and both escaped from Luzira Maximum prison.
He fled to Nairobi as refugees and later returned and joined the Luwero jungles in 1983.
After the war, Rwakanuma was deployed in National Resistance Army (NRA) finance department with Lt Col Bright Rwamirama and Maj Guma Gumisiriza as a pay clerk.