The hearing of a criminal case involving three individuals linked to Rukiga District LC5 Chairman-elect Simon Mutebi Rwamagyenda has once again failed to take off after court was informed that the State Attorney assigned to the matter was absent.
The case is being handled at the Grade One Magistrate’s Court sitting at Muhanga Town Council headquarters in Bukinda, Rukiga District.
The accused include Daniel Atwiine Rwamagyenda, 58, the father of the LC5 Chairman-elect, alongside Philemon Murangira, 23, and Peter Nangwana, 26, all residents of Kigara Parish in Kamwezi Sub-county.
Prosecutors allege that the trio were involved in violent acts during the January 22, 2026 general elections, in which they reportedly assaulted Brian Tinkashaba, who served as a polling coordinator for former LC5 aspirant Michael Kwarikunda Mbareeba. The alleged attack left Tinkashaba seriously injured.
The group is also accused of damaging Tinkashaba’s vehicle, registration number UBL 889G, during the same incident.
Following the alleged violence, a case was filed at Rukiga Police Station, leading to the arrest of the suspects, who were later released on police bond.
They were subsequently arraigned in court on April 16, 2026, where they were charged with grievous harm and malicious damage to property under relevant sections of the Penal Code Act. The accused denied the charges and were granted bail.
When the matter came up on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the presiding magistrate, His Worship Julius Mutabazi, adjourned proceedings after court was informed that there was no State Attorney available to proceed with prosecution.
The case was pushed to June 30, 2026, for further hearing.
Outside court, complainant Brian Tinkashaba expressed frustration over the repeated delays, saying he may consider applying for the transfer of the case to Kabale District, arguing that the absence of a prosecutor is slowing down justice.
The case originates from tensions that emerged during the heated January 2026 LC5 elections in Rukiga District, where Mutebi Rwamagyenda, the NRM flag bearer, emerged victorious with 21,028 votes, defeating independent candidate Michael Kwarikunda Mbareeba, who garnered 17,878 votes.
Kwarikunda later contested the electoral process, accusing the NRM candidate of engaging in campaign activities on the eve of polling day, contrary to Electoral Commission regulations.
He further alleged that some of his agents were assaulted and chased away from polling stations in Kamwezi and Bukinda sub-counties, as well as Muhanga Town Council, claims that heightened post-election tensions in the area.
Although Kwarikunda also accused a supporter of the winning camp of multiple voting at different polling stations, he later indicated that he would not pursue a legal challenge against the election results.
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