Mbarara City North Member of Parliament, Robert Rukaari has petitioned the Head of State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Brigadier Henry Isoke challenging his arrest and imprisonment at Luzira prison.
Rukaari was arrested and arraigned before the Commercial Division of the High Court in Kampala on March 1, 2023 for defaulting on a shs700 million debt, following a November, 17,2022 arrest warrant issued by the court’s deputy registrar.
He was released on March 7, 2023.
Following his release, Rukaari has petitioned the State House Anti-Corruption Unit over the “misconduct and abuse of office in execution of Court order.”
In a letter to Brig Isoke copied to the Principal Judge, Chairman Judicial Service Commission, the Judiciary Permanent Secretary and the Inspector General of Police, Rukaari complains against various Government officials that include ASP, Mukiibi Karim, Court Bailiff and Auctioneer Moses Kirunda and Assistant Registrars of the Commercial Court, Mastula Mulondo.
“As a member of Parliament, I am a keen believer in the rule of law and transparency in the Administration of Justice, but the demeaning events that happened on 01 March, 2023 following my arrest and incarceration to Luzira Prison, leaves a lot to be desired and deserve to be addressed as we forge our way for the future,” reads Rukaari’s letter in part.
He said the background events that led to his arrest for a civil debt arising out of a commercial court case, raises some concerns.
“The Assignment of ASP Mukiibi Karim another from the police anti-riot Unit, in a recovery process of a civil debt was highhanded, questionable and uncalled for,” he said.
“Whether the involvement of Kirunda Moses of M/S Spear Link Auctioneers in extraction, execution/ arrest without a valid court Bailiff’s licence for the year 2023 on court record, was not irregular and an abuse of court process.”
“Whether Kirunda Moses was not suspended by the Court Bailiff’s and Auctioneers Association, following his arraignment and prosecution before courts of law for murder and whether he was illegible and competent to execute a warrant of arrest again me (Rukaari).”
“I have endeavoured to address my grievances to other State Actors and Agencies specifically, the Judicial Service Commission, to which I am copying you in for comprehension and ease of reference to the subject. I humbly pray that the aforesaid issues are accordingly addressed,” the letter concludes.
It is worth noting that the Justice Minister, Norbert Mao condemned the arrest and detention of Mr Rukaari, saying his committal was merely intended to humiliate him.
“This was absolutely unnecessary. The same money lender has Rukaari’s land title of property worth billions and a duly signed transfer form. So if it was about recovering the money, all he would have done was to sell the property,” Mr Mao said at a church fundraising event in Mbarara a few days after Rukaari was sent to Luzira.
