Maj Rwakanuma freed on bail

COURT|ARMY

Operation Wealth Creation's (OWC) Maj Stephen Rwakanuma (Rtd) has been granted bail amidst stringent terms.

Rwakanuma, 65, is a senior retired army officer of the regular forces of Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), currently attached to OWC in Isingiro district.

General Court Martial (GCM) Chairman, Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti granted Rwakanuma bail, Monday, saying that he presented substantial sureties and has a fixed place of abode in the court's jurisdiction.

"With all factors considered, this court finds merit in the application and the accused is hereby granted a non cash bail of sh10m and his sureties, sh20m, not cash," Gutti ruled.

Rwakanuma was also ordered to deposit his national identity card and passport with the court, to regain them after the conclusion of the case.

"You are hereby ordered to report to this court on every first Wednesday of the month and restricted to move beyond Wakiso and Kampala, unless by please of this court," ordered Gutti.

Rwakanuma, a resident of Rwebicuncu, Nyabugando-Nshenyi in Isingiro district, is battling with three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, ammunition, and offences in relation to the uniform.

The charges respectively contravene section 3 (1) and 2 (a) of the Firearms Act Cap 299 and 169 (1), (2), (4) of the Penal Code Act Cap 120 and respectively attract a maximum sentence of ten and seven years' imprisonment upon conviction.

The sureties

Among the sureties presented were Maj GB Kazaara, Maj RM Rutabingwa, Ezra Kagaba, all friends to the accused and his son Stephen Rwakaruna Kangwagye, a Member of Parliament for Bukanga County in Isingiro district.

The charge

The prosecution led by Maj Samuel Masereje and Captain Ambrose Baguma allege that on or around May 22, 2020 while at Rwebicuncu, Nyabugando-Nshenyi in Isingiro 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.