Gideon Tumwijukye | Tayari News
KABALE – The National Unity Platform (NUP), Vice President for Western Uganda, Jacklyn Jolly Tukamushaba, has criticised the court over what she calls unfair treatment after criminal summons were issued against her for allegedly defying bail conditions.
Tukamushaba is facing charges of inciting violence against supporters of the National Resistance Movement. According to the Tuesday prosecution, she failed to appear before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kabale for a scheduled mention of her case.
Last week, the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kabale granted Tukamushaba bail after she presented four sureties and paid one million Uganda shillings in cash. Each of the sureties was bonded at five million Ugandan shillings, non-cash.
Prosecution alleged that between December 2025 and January 2026, Tukamushaba incited members of the public to commit acts of violence in the districts of Rukiga, Kabale, and Rukungiri. The alleged offences are said to contravene Section 79(1) of the Penal Code Act. However, Tukamushaba has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The NUP official, who contested for the Rukiga District Woman Member of Parliament seat on the party ticket, was reportedly ‘abducted’ on January 14th, 2026, while distributing agents’ appointment letters and facilitation. She resurfaced three weeks later in custody and was subsequently arraigned before the court.
On February 19th, she successfully applied for a production warrant and was later granted bail to reappear in court on February 24th, 2026.
Although she was expected in court on Tuesday, 24th February, for the mention of her case, Tukamushaba did not appear at the scheduled time. Chief Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha adjourned the matter to April 7th, 2026, and issued a criminal summons against her for allegedly breaching bail conditions.
However, at around midday, Tukamushaba arrived at court shortly after the summons had already been issued.
She has described the court’s action as unfair and unnecessary.
“I find it unfair that the criminal summons was issued against me without considering the circumstances,” she said. “I had travelled to Kampala to seek medical attention, and unfortunately, I was delayed on my way back.”
She added that the court had previously exercised patience in her case.
“On February 19th, I was brought to court in the morning and granted bail later in the evening. The court waited for the process to be completed. I expected the same consideration on Tuesday,” Tukamushaba stated.
Tukamushaba’s lawyers, led by Innocent Muhereza of Elgon Advocates, also defended her absence, saying that while his client did not arrive in time, the complainant in the matter was also not present in court.
“The summons was mainly to notify our client of the next court date,” Muhereza said. “There was no deliberate attempt by her to abscond from court. She remains committed to complying with all bail conditions.”
The lawyer further claimed that Tukamushaba will appear on the next adjourned date without fail.
“We undertake that she will be present in court on April 7th, 2026, as required,” he added.
The case will now come up on April 7th, 2026, as investigations into the allegations continue.