Summary:

• Hon. Mujungu Gideon Thembo, the Member of Parliament for Busongora South Constituency, has been released from Katojo government prison after making partial payments on electoral petition-related debts, with support from Hon. Sowedi Kitanywa as a surety.

The Fort-Portal High Court has granted the release of Hon. Mujungu Gideon Thembo, the Member of Parliament for Busongora South Constituency in Kasese district, from Katojo government prison. This decision followed his payment of partial bills related to a debt incurred from an electoral petition arising from the 2021 general elections, which led to a by-election.

Hon. Mujungu was incarcerated on December 5, 2023, by Deputy High Court Registrar His Worship Francis Matunga Dawa due to his failure to settle the costs associated with the electoral petition. Additional outstanding bills resulted from an unsuccessful application seeking a High Court judgment review filed by Hon. Mujungu in an attempt to overturn the costs.

In an interview at Rwenzori International Hotel, Hon. Jackson Mbaju Kathika, the former Member of Parliament for Busongora County South and petitioner, revealed that Hon. Mujungu secured his release by making a partial payment of sixty million shillings to him and an additional twenty-five million shillings to the Court Bailiff. This arrangement was made possible with the support of Hon. Sowedi Kitanywa, the Member of Parliament for Busongora County North, who stood as a surety for Hon. Mujungu.

Hon. Sowedi, advocating for joint efforts to assist Hon. Mujungu, expressed his agreement to be a surety and emphasized the importance of freeing the legislator for the benefit of Busongora County South. He highlighted the disappointment in service delivery due to the inconsistencies of their lawmaker.