Uganda’s Minister of State for Labour and Rushenyi County Member of Parliament, Mwesigwa Rukutana, has been arrested for allegedly shooting at his opponent’s supporters at the weekend.

“Mwesigwa Rukutana has been arrested with three of his bodyguards,” said deputy police spokesperson Polly Namaye.

“He is being detained at Ntungamo police station and with the guards they face attempted murder charges.”

Rukutana is expected to appear in court on Monday.

The minister allegedly shot at his opponent’s supporters after he lost the primaries of the ruling party National Resistance Movement (NRM) to Naome Kabasharira.

He was said to have grabbed a gun from one of his bodyguards and shot two people who were rushed to hospital in critical condition.

Mr Rukutana has denied shooting at his opponent’s supporters.

The minister was arrested alongside three of his bodyguards.

A video of the moment the minister brandished the gun was posted online:

Social embed from twitter

Former Deputy Attorney General, and current Labour Minister Mwesigwa Rukutana using his gun and guards to threaten agents in yesterday’s primary polls.

He lost the election pic.twitter.com/68eiw8Xin6

— Mujuni Raymond (@qataharraymond) September 5, 2020