NEW TWIST: Battered Buhweju MP, FDC’s Mwijukye Now Faces Charges of Inciting Violence

By Our Reporter

NATIONAL

The Buhwehu County Member of Parliament who was in May, 2024 battered by an angry mob while trying to protect a church land from being grabbed by land encroachers is in a new twist facing charges of inciting violence.

Hon Francis Mwijukye has been summoned by the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Buhweju to appear before it on Tuesday, 6^th of August, 2024 to take plea on Criminal Case No: 110/2024 with the State being the Prosecutor.

The summon dated 17^th July, 2024 was issued ‘on the application of the prosecution.”

“Whereas your attendance is necessary to answer to the charge of Inciting Violence C/S 83 PCA Cap.120 (Currently c/s 79 PCA Cap 128,” reads part of the summons.

Hon. Mwijukye Francis was attacked and injured, while responding to a land conflict on the 12^th May, 2024 at 3:30pm at Nyakishana Sub-county.

According to a police statement issued shortly after, the Hon. MP had obtained a complaint from church goers at Rwanyamabare Catholic Church and other members of Rwamabare Farmers Association, who claimed their church was at a risk of removal/demolition, by Kamugisha Frank, a neighbor with whom they are in dispute over the church land.

Police went ahead to say that at the scene, the Hon. MP was attacked by a rival group, armed with sticks. During the violent confrontation, the Hon. MP, sustained serious injuries to the head and was rushed to Nsiika Health Centre 4, by police, for medical treatment.

“The public should know that legislators are representatives of their constituents and shoulder the responsibility of Parliament. Therefore, any threats of violence against legislators, is an attack on the core of our democracy. These acts of impunity against our legislators will not be tolerated,” read a police statement by SCP Enanga Fred, the then Police Spokesperson on 13th May 2024.

The summons therefore is a complete departure from what the police said then.

Taking to his X Handle today 4^th August 2024, a distressed Mwijukye says, “Conspiracy at Buhweju police Station. The victim is now the criminal. Buhweju OC CID , Resident State Attorney vs. Hon. Mwijukye Francis and the people of Buhweju! We shall overcome.”