Rally Ace Ponsiano Lwakataka Remanded

Court in Masaka has further remanded Ponsiano Lwakataka, the famous rally Ace who is currently trapped in a murder trial after the presiding judge requested for more time to study his fresh bail application.

Motor Sport Star Ponsiano Lwakataka in Masaka High Court

The application submitted by Defence lawyer Hassan Kamba, was accompanied by copies of medical reports indicating that Lwakataka is suffering from hypertension, acute ulcers, back pain and liver infections.

Kamba told court presided over by Justice Margaret Oguli that the Lwakataka’s health condition has deteriorated since he was remanded last year and that Masaka Central Prison had failed to attend to him.

Lubaga North MP Moses Kasibante, Moses Rashi Ssenyonga, the Kyotera Town Council Chairman and Dr. Deo Kizito, the former Kakuuto County Parliamentary contestant, were presented as sureties for Lwakataka’s application. Kamba also surrendered land titles for Lwakataka’ land in Kyotera and Kawempe.

But Simon Ssemalemba, the Principal State Attorney rejected the application and asked court to dismiss it. Ssemalemba stated that the purported medical report that was presented was a forgery.

He explained that the paper did not have details of the medical condition; neither did it have a name and contacts of a medical officer who authored it.

He also said that the circumstances that denied him bail last year had no changed.

But Justice Oguli said she needed time to study the submission from both parties and remanded him further until January 15th.

Lwakataka, who was very emotional during today’s court session, has been on remand at Masaka central Prison Since September last year for allegedly killing Pastor Steven Mugambe of Kyebe Pentecostal church and eight members of his family.

Prosecution alleges that on January 13, 2013, while in Kyebe Sub County, Lwakataka connived with Asuman Muddu to murder Pastor Steven Mugambe and eight members of his family. The nine were hacked to death by assailants who dug a hole through the wall of their house to gain entry.

Lwakatata has had several of his bail application attempts rejected over lack of evidence to prove exceptional circumstances.

Over 70 of his supporters mostly NRM leaders from Rakai who raided Masaka High Court demanding for his unconditional release were left complaining.

Dressed in yellow T-shirts with inscriptions “We Miss You Lwakataka,” The supporters complained that his detention has left many of them jobless since he was their employer.