Ex-MP Turyahikayo’s theft case against former aide dismissed

The High court in Kabale has dismissed a case in which former Rubabo County member of parliament, Mary Paula Turyahikayo Kebirungi and her husband, Godfrey Turyahikayo Rweihunga, accused their former political assistant, Angello Twinomuhangi Bagorogoza, of theft.

Bagorogoza, a resident of Nyarushanje in Rukungiri district and current aspirant for Rukungiri LCV chairperson, previously served as Turyahikayo’s political aide until December 2020. He fell out with the former MP and later joined the rival political camp of Namanya Naboth.

In March 2022, Bagorogoza was arrested by Rukungiri police and charged with theft. Prosecution alleged that between October and December 2020, he withdrew Shs 440 million from Turyahikayo’s Centenary Bank account, money allegedly intended for Rweihunga to purchase land in Kabale Municipality, but instead diverted the funds for personal use.

However, in a ruling dated June 17, Justice Ssemogerere Kaloli Lwanga found that the plaintiffs had failed to present compelling evidence to support the claim. The ruling, released by Kabale High court assistant registrar Kenneth Tumwebaze, stated that both parties would bear their own legal costs.

Justice Ssemogerere advised the plaintiffs to consider filing a new civil suit specifically targeting the financial transaction, rather than pursuing a criminal claim without sufficient basis.

Reacting to the ruling, Bagorogoza thanked God and described the case as politically motivated. He said the couple fabricated the case out of anger simply because he chose to join Namanya’s camp.