From Francis Mugasha to Mwesigwa Rukutana; Has the Attorney General been riding on someone else’s academic papers?

As the political tempo rises ahead of the 2016 elections, an academic dinosaur is right in the middle of the NRM party— proving the possession of the minimum A’ level certificate.

The last couple of months have seen Ssembabule Woman MP, Anifa Kawooya, MP hopeful Muyanja Mbabali and Nakifuma legislator Kafeero Ssekitoleko being tossed around NRM’s headquarters at plot 10 Kyadondo over failure to prove that they successfully attended advanced level education.

As the legislators take to the media to prove their education levels, a red flag has been raised on the Deputy Attorney General and junior Justice minister, Mwesigwa Rukutana, too.

On September 11, Julius Twesigye Kyobwe of Kayonza, Rushenyi wrote to the NRM Electoral Commission boss Dr Tanga Odoi  accusing Mwesigwa Rukutana, the party aspiring candidate for Rushenyi County, of using academic documents that are not his.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Mr Twesigye confirmed drafting the petition but declined to comment further. “Please contact my lawyers, I have no comment”

According to Mr Twesigye’s petition, titled “Petition against candidate Mwesigwa Rukutana aka Mwesigwa Barati”, the petitioner says Mr Rukutana has been using papers belonging to another person, Mr Mwesigwa Barati, who is still alive.

“The above-mentioned has been using papers belonging to another person who is still alive and uses his personal names. Mwesigwa Barati is a living person and registered voter whose names the above candidate uses,” the petition reads in part.

The petition is also copied to the Inspector General of Government and the Inspector General of Police, received, and stamped by both offices on September 15.

‘In A-level he used the same names Mwesigwa Barati and at Makerere (University) he used the same names which belong to this other person,” it reads.

The letter that was also received by the Legal Department of the NRM Secretariat.

Dr. Odoi confirmed receiving the petition but said like any other petition, NRM would look through the issues presented by Mr Twesigye with other petitions tomorrow.

“NRM is going to look at all petitions tomorrow including that of Rukutana”

It adds, “He also has a chequered history, in Kigezi High school where he allegedly sat his O-level; he used the names Mwesigwa Barati.

“During the CA he was using his true names Mugasha Francis he has since dropped and he is now using Mwesigwa Rukutana, which is a combination of all the names to cover up.”

Meanwhile, Eagle Online failed to get a comment from Mr Rukutana  as he failed to answer his phone and reply texted messages.