Opolot displaying the weapons allegedly found in Washaki’s car recently

By Joseph Wanzusi

THE LC3 chairperson for Bungokho sub-county in Mbale district was yesterday removed from his hospital bed and taken to the Mbale Magistrates Court where he was charged with illegally possessing weapons.

Ahamed Washaki, 47, denied the charges.

Chief magistrate Cissy Kawuma granted him bail after a non-cash bond of sh5m. His three sureties included Mbale LC5 boss Bernard Mujasi.

Washaki looked exhausted as he walked back to the ward at Mount Elgon Hospital.

He was accompanied by several of his supporters, and his lawyer, James Gyabi.

According to the district Police commander, Jacob Opolot, Washaki had an assortment of weapons, including bows, arrows, catapults, whips and stones, concealed in his vehicle on September 3.
“He managed to escape but was nabbed the following day by our teams monitoring election violence in Bungokho South constituency,” Opolot told New Vision yesterday.

Opolot said Washaki is also wanted in Budaka district to answer charges of threatening to kill 20 residents of Nyanza village in Kamonkoli (now Mugiti sub-county) over a land dispute.

Earlier, a scuffle had erupted at the hospital as the Police attempted to drag Washaki to court.

Ronald Poteli, the officer in-charge of the political desk at Mbale Central Police Station, in the company of armed policemen, jumped off a truck and paced up and down the clinic, demanding to take Washaki in his custody.

But Washaki’s lawyer insisted that he would transport his client in his vehicle.

Washaki has been in Mount Elgon Hospital since September 4, after he was allegedly assaulted in Bungokho sub-county while monitoring the NRM primary elections.