Senior Reporter
The Kabale Chief Magistrates Court has postponed the case involving Mary Paula Turyahikayo, the former Rubabo County Member of Parliament, and her former political assistant, Angelo Twinomuhangi, to December 1st, 2023.
Turyahikayo had filed a lawsuit against Twinomuhangi for obtaining money by false pretense.
During the court session presided over by Magistrate Pascal Olupot, the prosecution, represented by State Attorney Julie Najjunja, alleged that between October 2020 and February 2021 at Kabale Centenary Bank branch, Twinomuhangi stole Uganda shillings 440,000,000 (four hundred forty million) intended for purchasing land at Rwakaraba plot 35 block 18 for the MP’s family.
Twinomuhangi, through his lawyers Justus Muhangi and Patience Nansiima, rejected the exhibits presented by the prosecution, including a laptop, two phones(an I phone and Galaxy), and several ATM cards.
The defense argued they were not ready to accept the exhibits, taken by the police two years ago; questioning the timing of their presentation by the state while the case was ongoing.
One of the state witnesses, Ivan Nshekanabo, who was the investigating officer, provided bank statements from Centenary Bank. He testified that in April 2020, Twinomuhangi received 250,000,000 shillings from Mary Paula Turyahikayo, out of which he transferred 220,000,000 shillings to Shem Bageine, the seller of the land in question.
Initially, Twinomuhangi’s lawyers objected to the bank statements being submitted as exhibits, stating that they had not been served with the necessary court orders. However, Magistrate Olupot overruled their objection, ordering the prosecution to provide the required court orders.
The magistrate adjourned the case to December 1st, 2023, for further hearings, during which more witnesses are expected to be presented by the prosecution.
