Police in Ntungamo has arrested Mwesigwa Rukutana, the minister of Labour, following a Friday incident where he shot a motor vehicle that was intercepted by him and his guards.
Police say he was arrested with his three escorts on charges of inciting violence, attempted murder by shooting, and malicious damage of property. The minister's escorts are PC Paul Agec, PC Faizo Koozala, CPL John Bosco Okello. His driver, Napoleon Nuwamanya, was also arrested.
The five are being held at Ntugamo Central Police Station. Police also obtained three firearms from them as exhibits.
According to police, at around 10:30am "Rukutana and his guards intercepted a motor vehicle belonging to rival supporters [whom] he had an argument with before pulling out his gun and he started shooting at the motor vehicle injuring the occupants who are nursing injuries now".
Rukutana has been quoted in some media outlets saying that he was using the gun to protect himself against armed people who had attacked his farm.
He said they were told he leave but they refused, which prompted him to take action. The incident occurred in Rubaare Subcounty, Ntungamo district. Rwizi region police spokesman Samson Kasasira did not immediately comment on the number of people that were injured.
However, some people have claimed that the people had come to his home to stop him from bribing voters, an activity that was taking place at his home.
Mwesigwa Rukutana has been the MP for Rushenyi constituency but he yesterday lost the NRM primaries to Naome Kabasharira.
Rukutana has represented Rushenyi in parliament since 2001.
