Gen. Tumukunde back in prison

By Isa Kasalu

Kampala – Lt. Gen.Tumukunde has been remanded to prison until March 23. On the day of the hearing, sources reveal he will not physically appear in court but will be done through an audio-visual link at Buganda Road Court.

The City Hall court has charged Rtd Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde with treason and four other counts of unlawful possession of firearms and remanded him to Luzira prison until 30th March 2020.

Appearing before grade one magistrate Valerian Tuhimbise, Tumukunde denied being in possession of firearms illegally saying they were given to him upon retirement and is as such holding them legally.

Prosecution states that on March 13, 2020, at his office at Impala Avenue in Kololo, Tumukunde was found in possession of 2 guns; an Ak47 and a pistol.

Prosecution further states that he is also charged with unlawful possession of 34 rounds of ammunition without a valid firearm license.

In her submission, Viola Tusingwire said, police inquiries into the four counts are complete and are ready to adduce witnesses by March 30th, 2020.

Through his lawyers led by Oscar Kambona failed to secure bail for the retired general because treason is a capital offence that is only bailable and triable by the high court. Treason in Uganda attracts a maximum sentence of death upon conviction in Uganda.

Tumukunde will not appear physically at court on the 30th of March but will instead remain in prison as Buganda Road court will use an audio-visual link.