Former Rukungiri LC5 Aspirant Convicted of Stealing Shs 440 Million from MP-Elect

The Kabale Grade I Magistrate’s Court has convicted Angello Twinomuhangi Bagorogoza, a former Rukungiri District LC5 chairperson aspirant, on two counts of theft and obtaining money by false pretence involving Shs 440 million.

Twinomuhangi, who previously served as a political aide to former Rubabo County Member of Parliament Mary Paula Turyahikayo Kebirungyi, was found guilty of stealing money belonging to Mary Paula Kebirungyi and her husband, Engineer Godfrey Rwihunga Turyahikayo.

The funds were reportedly entrusted to the accused for the purchase of land for the family.

According to the prosecution, led by Kabale Senior State Attorney Julie Nanjjuju, the offences were committed between October 2020 and February 2021 at Centenary Bank, Kabale Branch. The money was intended to buy land located at Rwakaraba, Plot 35, Block 18, but was instead unlawfully appropriated.

Presiding over the case on Monday, Grade I Magistrate Aziza Nyevu convicted Twinomuhangi on both charges after finding that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

During the proceedings, Twinomuhangi’s lawyer, Solomon Atiba, asked court to defer sentencing, citing his client’s illness and absence from court. He also informed court that an application for review had been filed in the Kabale High Court, challenging the legality of the proceedings and alleging that the judgment had leaked to the public.

However, Magistrate Nyevu dismissed the application, noting that court records showed the accused last appeared in court in August 2025, and that it had previously been agreed that judgment would be delivered whether or not the accused was present.

“The last time we were here, it was agreed that regardless of the circumstances, whether your client was present or not, the court would proceed and deliver judgment,” Nyevu ruled.

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Following the conviction, the court issued a warrant of arrest for Twinomuhangi and set March 10, 2026, as the date for sentencing.

Reacting to the verdict, Mary Paula Turyahikayo Kebirungyi welcomed the decision, saying justice had finally been served after a long and difficult legal process.

“It has not been easy, but justice has prevailed,” she said, while commending Senior State Attorney Julie Nanjjuju for her dedication in prosecuting the case.