FULL STATEMENT: Rukutana Picked Gun to Defend his Family Under Siege, say Lawyers

State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Mwesigwa Rukutana, has said he picked a gun from his guards to “secure” his family from attackers but “never shot anyone.”

Rukutana was arrested by police in Ntungamo district on Saturday for allegedly shooting at his political rivals’ supporters after losing in Rushenyi county in the NRM primaries held on Friday.

According to the statement issued by Rukutana’s lawyers, LSA Advocates, “The true position of the Minister is that the Hon Minister was a candidate in the recently held NRM primary elections for Rushenyi county was on 5th September at his home preparing for prayers after the loss of his mother in law.”

The lawyers said Rukutana’s son and a Reverend were blocked from accessing a road by men who were driving a Rav 4 car, leading to his intervention.

“At no point did the Minister or his bodyguard release any bullet. The weapons of the Minister’s guard and his weapons were all retrieved by police and are available for inspection and the truth shall be established that the weapons never released any bullet nor is there any sell of any bullet at the scene,” said Rukutana’s lawyers.

President Museveni today said Gender Minister Mwesigwa Rukutana would soon face the courts over the political violence in Rushenyi, Ntungamo this past weekend.

“Minister Rukutana is in jail and will be prosecuted,” said Museveni in a statement issued Monday morning.

He said, “Those who beat People, like in Bukono, are all in jail or on the run. They will be fully accountable with robust charges: assault, attempted murder, murder etc.”

A video clip going viral on WhatsApp shows Rukutana picking an AK47 rifle from his police guard and advancing towards a car occupied by unidentified people.

The guard then quickly removes the magazine from the gun, preventing Rukutana from shooting people.

In the background, one could hear voices of men in the car, with one saying, “Rukutana wants to shoot at us. Drive off. Let’s go.”

Deo Rweiburingi, a supporter of Rukutana’s rival, Naome Kabasharira, was injured in the fracas.

He is being treated at Mbarara Referral Hospital.

Police said Rweiburingi was not shot as earlier claimed on social media.

ChimpReports understands the driver of the Rav 4 car which blocked Rukutana’s team was also arrested.

Below is Rukutana’s statement in full: