KABALE. The Vice President of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Western Uganda, Ms. Jacklyn Jolly Tukamushaba, has revealed that she enrolled her family on psycho-social counseling therapy to help them recover from the trauma caused by her recent arrest during the election campaigns.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Tukamushaba, who unsuccessfully contested for Woman Member of Parliament in Rukiga District in the 2026 elections, was detained on January 14, just a day before the elections. On the day of her arrest, she was reportedly coordinating the distribution of appointment letters for her agents and those of NUP Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
She was held incommunicado, and her family, led by her eldest daughter, searched for her in vain until February 6, 2026, when she was finally produced before the Kabale Chief Magistrate’s Court and charged with inciting violence. She was remanded to Ndorwa Government Prison on charges of inciting violence under Section 79(1) of the Penal Code Act.
On February 19, 2026, the Kabale Chief Magistrate Court, presided over by His Worship Derrick Byamukama, ordered Tukamushaba’s release on court bail. The case was adjourned to February 24, 2026. However, today, after she delayed appearing for the case mention, the magistrate issued criminal summons. Tukamushaba appeared about two hours later than the required time, thus prompting the adjournment to April 7, 2026.
Addressing the press today alongside her lawyer, she explained that she had traveled to Kampala for medical treatment, citing that her health is “not good.”
Tukamushaba also revealed that her family was receiving counseling to help them recover from the trauma they endured, especially during the nearly month-long period she was missing before her court appearance.
“They are still in fear and they panic at the slightest noise around the house, but we’ll get through it,” she said.
CUE IN… TUKAMUSHABA ON THERAPY ENG/RR
Her lawyer, Mr. Innocent Muhereza from Elgon Advocates, explained that despite the criminal summons issued against his client, the complainant had not appeared in court, which meant the case hearing could not proceed. Nevertheless, he stated they are committed to pursuing justice to the end and assured that next time, Tukamushaba would be in court on time.
CUE IN… LAWYER MUHEREZA’S COMMENTS
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Turyasingura, the NUP Chairperson for Rukiga District, described the setbacks faced following Tukamushaba’s arrest on January 14, just a day before the presidential and parliamentary elections.
He said Tukamushaba was detained before handing over all appointment letters for agents and their facilitation, which severely impacted Bobi Wine’s performance in Rukiga. Turyasingura also noted that after her arrest, most of their NUP agents and coordinators went into hiding for fear of arrest, halting their mobilization efforts.
CUE IN… TURYASINGURA ON THE ELECTIONS .
Despite her arrest during the polling period, Tukamushaba managed to garner 3,195 votes. She was defeated by Sylvia Arinaitwe of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who secured 37,239 votes, while independent candidate Hellen Kobutesi Kworoba received 888 votes.
According to the Rukiga District Election Tally sheet displayed after the January 15 Presidential election, NUP Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi obtained 3748 votes which is 8.95% of the total votes, against NRM’s Yoweri Museveveni’s 36,915 (88.12%)
