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His four sureties were asked to execute a non cash bond of 50 Million Shillings and also asked to deposit his passport with the court.
Rukutana appeared before the Chief Magistrate via Zoom Technology from Kitalya prison.
In the application, the lawyers argued that Rukutana had a right to bail since the offences are bailable. The lawyers also argued that Rukutana had a permanent place of abode in Ntungamo district which is under the jurisdiction of the Magistrates court.
However, the prosecution led by Eunice Baine had objected to the bail application on grounds that the offence was grave and the accused may interfere with the investigations and witnesses because he is a minister and the investigations were still going on.
Kolya however overruled the prosecution and granted bail to Rukutana. She adjourned the case to 3rd November when the case will up for mention.
Rukutana’s bodyguards are still in detention.
Rukutana was first remanded last week by the Grade one magistrate’s court to Kyamugorani prisons in Mbarara City, moments after he was arraigned in the court to face charges of attempted murder, assault, malicious damage, and threatening violence.
He was arrested with three of his bodyguards from his home in Ruyonza, Rubaare Sub County for allegedly shooting and injuring a person, in the aftermath of the National Resistance Movement party primaries.
A video that has been circulating on social media shows Rukutana grabbing a gun from one of his bodyguards and shooting at a vehicle belonging to supporters of his political rival Naome Kabasharira.At the time of the incident, Rukutana had just lost the Rushenyi country NRM flag to Kabasharira.
The Prosecution alleged that on September 5, 2020, at Kagugu village in Ntungamo District, Rukutana and others still at large, assaulted Julius Niwamanya and threatened to kill or injure him together with three others; Stuart Kamukama, Dan Rwibirungi, and Moses Kamukama. It is also alleged that Rukutana also willfully and unlawfully damaged a motor vehicle registration number UAR 840X Toyota Rav 4 type which belongs to one Moses Muhumuza.
