MBARARA – A Magistrates’ court on Wednesday sentenced Nelson Kagote Twinamatsiko, the manager of Kanungu FM to a fine of Ugx200,000 after pleading guilty for assaulting Anita Tumuramye – a female presenter of the same radio station.
The case in a Kanungu court followed an incident on January 26, 2023 in which the radio station – the business of Dr Chris Baryomunsi – the Minister for Information Communication Technology and National Guidance and Kinkiizi East Constituency representative in parliament – hit the headlines for an infamous act.
Court records as per Peter Muhendo, who led the prosecution – indicated that Twinamatsiko had assaulted Tumuramye following an overdue payment of a commission in a business transaction.
It’s said that Tumuramye had secured an advert on January 26, 2023 – Ugx200, 000 and as such was entitled to Ugx40, 000 as her commission in line with the station guidelines.
However, Twinamatsiko in his capacity as manager declined to release the commission – leading to a scuffle that left the woman bleeding.
Twinamatsiko was subsequently arrested and charged in court on February 2, 2023 for assaulting Tumuramye and occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to Section 236 of the Penal Code Act. He died the charges and was remanded.
But on re-appearing before the same court on Wednesday, Twinamatsiko appeared a changed man – as he pleaded guilty to the charges – and in his ruling, his worship Asanansio Mukobi – the Kanungu Grade I Magistrate ordered Twinamatsiko to pay Ugx200, 000 as a fine or prepare to stay behind bars for eight months. Mukobi also counselled the two workmates to reconcile. Tumuramye said outside court that she had no personal vendetta against Twinamatsiko and would reconcile.
Twinamatsiko opted to pay the fine as his friends including Godfrey Karabenda – the Kanungu district National Resistance Movement – NRM party boss had mobilised to deposit the money.
Last week, the management of Kanungu radio station issued a statement suspending the two workers until police investigations into the matter were complete.
“The management of Kanungu FM Radio does not condone acts of indiscipline and misbehaviour and regrets this incident.
“We honestly apologise to our esteemed listeners, business clients and the general public,” read the statement issued on February 2, in parts.
The statement added further that a careful examination of the video showed how the manager-Twinamatsiko had tried in vain – to extricate himself from Tumuramye – concluding that there was no indication of beating – an account that attracted more public condemnation.
A source revealed that after public uproar – court in Kanungu had only one option –sending Twinamatsiko to prison despite Dr Baryomunsi reported intervention.
“So all parties agreed later on settling the matter amicably – setting up a reasonable fine on condition that the manager pleads guilty – and the game plan ended as planned,” revealed a source based in Kabale – who claimed to have participated in the negotiations.
