US national sent to jail over firearms, domestic violence

Mr Paul Rodgers Mathias (left) stands in the dock at Entebbe Magistrates Court before he was remanded to Kigo prison yesterday. PHOTO BY PAUL ADUDE.

What you need to know:

  • Mr Rodgers, a resident of Mawanyi, Bwebajja in Kajjansi Town Council, Wakiso District, was remanded over domestic violence, illegal possession of firearms and hundreds of bullets.
  • Police on February 10 raided Mr Rogers’ home in Bwebajja on Entebbe Road and reportedly found him in illegal possession of firearms and bullets after his wife Lillian Keitesi (pictured left) reported a case of domestic violence.

The chief magistrate’s court in Entebbe has remanded Mr Paul Rodgers Mathias, a 57-year-old US national, to Kigo government prison on four counts.
Mr Rodgers, a resident of Mawanyi, Bwebajja in Kajjansi Town Council, Wakiso District, was remanded over domestic violence, illegal possession of firearms and hundreds of bullets.

The court, presided over by chief magistrate Mary Kaitesi, heard that on March 18, Mr Rodgers, while at Entebbe International Airport, was found in possession of a fire arm, a pistol, and 128 bullets without a valid certificate, contrary to Section 3(1) and (2)(a) of the Firearms Act, 2006. He is also accused of possessing another 37 bullets on February 9, while at Bwebajja village, Wakiso District, without a licence.

Mr Rodgers denied all the charges before magistrate Kaitesi remanded him until tomorrow when he will reappear for his bail application and hearing of the case. Mr Rodgers also pleaded not guilty to the fourth charge of domestic violence.
Earlier, Grade One Court magistrate Mastullah Mulondo had heard that on January 13, while at Bwebajja in Kajjansi Town Council, Wakiso District, Mr Rodgers assaulted his wife, Ms Lillian Kaitesi, contrary to Section 4(II) of the Domestic Act. 2010.
Mr Ladislaus Rwakafunzi, the defence lawyer, asked the court to shorten Mr Rodgers remand and bail application date and allow him get in touch with his sureties as required by law. But magistrate Mulondo remanded Mr Rodgers until March 2 for the nearest hearing date.

Arrest. Police on February 10 raided Mr Rogers’ home in Bwebajja on Entebbe Road and reportedly found him in illegal possession of firearms and bullets after his wife Lillian Keitesi reported a case of domestic violence.
Keitesi accused her husband of torturing her and being in possession of firearms and several other dangerous weapons.
In March last year, Immigration officers at Entebbe International Airport allegedly confiscated a rifle Mr Rogers had brought in the country illegally.