Rally ace Lwakataka jailed over illegal fish trade

Ponsiano Rwakataka(C) before the Kasese Grade One Magistrate court after taking plea. He was charged with assault and trading in immature fish. PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME

Kasese
Celebrated rally driver, Possiano Lwakataka has been charged and remanded to Mubuku prison in Kasese district over illegal fish trade.
Mr Lwakataka appeared before Chief Magistrates Court presided over by Ms Agatonica Mbabazi and charged with assault and trading in immature fish. He denied the allegations.
His lawyer Mr Hassan Kamba pleaded with court to stay the matter, claiming that he was not aware of the second charge but in vain.
“I only had two sureties on one charge of assaulting Abdul Karim but am surprised to find that he is also charged with trading in immature fish,” said Mr Kamba who attempted to apply for bail which was also denied.
State attorney, Mr Mike Mwanje objected to Mr Lwakataka’s bail application on grounds that it was irregular for him (Mr Lwakataka) to produce in court two sureties from Mpondwe town in Kasese district yet he is a resident of Kawempe in Kampala.
Consequently, Mr Mbabazi remanded the rally driver until July 18th when he will re-appear in Court for further mention of his case and bail application.
Lwakataka could not hide his feelings as he was being led into the cells by prison wardens.
“Even if you arrest me, you will not take my love for NRM”, he said as he entered the cell.
Mr Lwakataka has been on security agencies wanted list after his vehicle was allegedly shot at by army and fisheries officers.
Mr Lwakataka was arrested on Thursday in Kampala Industrial Area and detained at Jinja Road Police Station and later transferred to Kasese District where he allegedly committed the offences.
Last week, court sentenced two of Mr Lwakataka’s workers to six months in jail over trading in immature fish.