FDC boss acquitted of murder, released

Justice. Grade II Magistrate Resty Gatera dismisses the charges after the Director of Public Prosecution loses interest in the case.

The Magistrate’s court in Ntungamo has dismissed murder charges against the Ntungamo Municipality Forum for Democratic Change chairperson after the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) lost interest in the case.

Court presided over by Grade II Magistrate Resty Gatera dismissed the charges on Thursday and Mr Benon Nuwagira Ntendere, who has been incarcerated since October 13 last year, was immediately freed.

The February 20 letter signed by the DPP, Mr Richard Buteera, says, “This is to inform court that the Director of Public Prosecutions has decided to discontinue proceedings against Nuwagira Benon, who was charged with murder.”

Mr Nuwagira was arrested as he organised a meeting for the Leader of Opposition, Mr Nandala Mafabi, who was campaigning for party presidency in the district.

He appeared before Ntungamo Grade One court and was taken to Ntungamo prison where he has been held ever since. Mr Nuwagira had been accused of killing Andrew Arebe at Nyabubaare Trading Centre on February 26, last year, the charges he denied.

Nuwagira speaks out
After he was acquitted, Mr Nuwagira told the Saturday Monitor that his arrest and prosecution were politically motivated.

“There was nothing I had committed except preparing for an FDC meeting. The man they tell me I killed was my neighbour who died in a road accident. He died in July 2011 and the charges read February 2012. This is corruption of police and witch-hunt. Fortunately, the DPP is professional,” he said.

The district FDC women league chairperson, Ms Alice Kafoda, described the acquittal as a landmark in the fight for freedom.
“These are all the forces of witch hunt. Whoever talks about FDC and freedom is taken to cells. I know there are many things coming but we shall overcome them,” Ms Kafoda said.

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