OBADIAH T
The Rukungiri Magistrate’s Court has today granted a non-cash bail of UGX 10 million to Wright Mwongyera, a National Resistance Movement (NRM) registrar, accused of interfering with results from the Rubabo County NRM primary elections.
Grade One Magistrate Gonzaga Mbarangu, who presided over the case, ruled that Mwongyera presented substantial sureties and was unlikely to abscond. He noted that the accused is a married man, a father of two, and the sole breadwinner of his family.
The sureties included:
- Mpamize (73), a peasant and neighbour from Rushoroza A cell, Rwerere Town Council.
- Henry Ngateireyo (68), Mwongyera’s biological father, also from Rushoroza A.
- Garshom Mutungura (51), his uncle and resident of the same area.
Mwongyera was arrested last Friday and is accused of tampering with the declaration of results for the Rubabo County NRM parliamentary flag bearer. According to the complainant, Bob Rugonde, Mwongyera allegedly influenced the declaration of Mathias Rwabugumi as the flag bearer despite results from eight polling stations not being tallied.
The case has been adjourned to September 17 for mention.
Speaking to journalists outside court, Rugonde maintained that he was the rightful winner and demanded a recount in the disputed polling stations. He expressed hope that the court will order this on Monday, July 28.
Meanwhile, a group of Rugonde’s supporters gathered outside the court, voicing frustration at the NRM electoral commission. They warned that failure to deliver justice may force them to abandon the party, and appealed to President Yoweri Museveni, the NRM national chairman, to intervene.
Mwongyera has been restricted from leaving Rukungiri District without official court permission.
