Court denies Kakwenza bail
The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate ‘s court has denied granting bail to embattled novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija further remanding him until Tuesday January 24,2022.
The presiding Chief Magistrate Douglas Singiza set the above to rule on whether to grant him bail or not.
Kakwenza, appeared in court via video link to hear his application for bail. His lawyer Eron Kiiza told court that the accused was in need of proper medical attention because he had been tortured while in custody. Kiiza further told court that the case he faces in court is accused, is bailable.
However, prosecution, led by Resident State Attorney Joan Keko,told the court that the accused would interfere with ongoing investigations also using his Twitter handle.
The magistrate agreed with the prosecution and ordered that Kakwenza stays in custody.
Rukira who faces charges of offensive communication under section C/S 25 of the computer misuse act 2011 ,was presented briefly in court on Tuesday,January 11 , in the absence of cameras and the public.
Kakwenza reportedly arrived at the Buganda road court at about 10 am on Tuesday morning in a tinted vehicle and was presented in court shortly before being read to the charges.
Presiding Magistrate Singiza charged Kakwenza with two counts of offensive communication, to which he pleaded “not guilty” before being remanded to Kitalya Prison.
Prosecution alleges that between December 26 and 28,2021 while in Kampala, Kakwenza willfully and repeatedly used his twitter handle to disturb the peace of his excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba with no purpose of legitimate communication.
Kakwenza was arrested on December 28th 2021 from his home in Kisaasi, Nakawa Division after plain clothed officers armed with guns, driving in UBE 894M and UBH 163U broke into his home. He was taken into detention at the Crime Intelligence facility in Bukoto until Monday last week when he was escorted by security operatives to conduct a search at his home in Iganga.
