Busongora South County Member of Parliament (MP), Gideon Thembo Mujungu, has been released from Katojjo Civil Prison in Fort Portal after spending two weeks in detention over a debt related to a 2021 election petition. The release occurred on December 19, 2023.
Mujungu was committed to prison on December 5 following an arrest warrant issued by Fort Portal High Court Deputy Registrar Francis Dawa Matenga. The warrant resulted from a claim by Mujungu’s predecessor, Jackson Mbaju Kathika, asserting that the MP owed him Shs183 million.
The debt was incurred through court costs in the aftermath of a 2021 election petition. Despite initially clearing Shs40 million of the total amount, Mujungu was detained after failing to meet the full payment. His plea to pay Shs10 million and establish a new payment schedule was rejected by Kathika.
After 13 days in custody, Mujungu appeared before Fort Portal High Court Acting Deputy Registrar Ivan Nkwasibwe. He was released after making a down payment of Shs60 million and committing to pay the remaining Shs90 million within three months. Busongora North MP Sowedi Kitanywa and his son Cranmer Mumbere served as his guarantors.
Winnie Bwambale, representing Kathika, stated that Mujungu’s family approached them, seeking consent for his release. The family committed to ensuring the payment of the outstanding amount and assured that Mujungu would fulfill the financial obligations.
Kathika initially won the election petition, leading to the nullification of Mujungu’s election with Shs183 million in costs. However, a by-election organized by the Electoral Commission in August 2023 saw Mujungu reclaim his parliamentary seat.
Mujungu contested the costs, arguing that he was not personally found liable for electoral malpractices. Despite his applications being dismissed by Fort Portal High Court Judge Vincent Emmy Mugabo, he managed to secure his return to the parliamentary seat through the by-election.
