The Kitagwenda District Chairperson, Ismail Mushemeza, failed to appear before the Kamwenge Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, prompting the court to issue criminal summons against him and his sureties.
Mushemeza, who is currently on bail over seven counts of obtaining money by false pretence, was represented by his lawyer, Joshua Namara of M/S Joshua Namara & Co. Advocates.
Namara told court that his client was unable to attend the proceedings due to a family matter.
“My client could not appear in court today because he is attending to his wife who has just given birth,” Namara submitted.
However, presiding magistrate Harriet Atim Okello expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of both the accused and his sureties, noting that it amounted to non-compliance with court directives.
“The accused person and his sureties have failed to comply with court directives. Criminal summons are hereby issued against Mushemeza and all his four sureties who did not turn up in court,” Atim ruled.
She further warned that failure to appear at the next hearing would attract tougher consequences.
“The advocate is directed to ensure that the accused appears in court on May 21, 2026. Failure to do so will lead to issuance of a warrant of arrest against him and his sureties,” she cautioned.
The case was adjourned to May 21, 2026, for further hearing.
Mushemeza remains on bail as the matter continues before court.
