I am guilty, Kalungi tells magistrate
A detective leads Adam Kalungi to Makindye court yesterday. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa.
Mr Adam Suleiman Kalungi, the key suspect in the death of Butaleja Woman MP Cerinah Nebanda, yesterday pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
“Yes it’s true,” said Mr Kalungi, in a fairly packed Makindye courtroom, when the charge was read to him.
However, Chief Magistrate Ester Nambayo could not record his guilty plea since he did not have a lawyer to advise him on the consequences of his pronouncement.
The magistrate instead remanded him to Luzira Prison until today, when the State is expected to provide him with a lawyer before he can plead afresh to the charge.
“Mr Kalungi, we are not taking your plea today since the manslaughter charge requires that you are represented by an advocate. You will be remanded till tomorrow (today),” Ms Nambayo ruled.
Manslaughter is a capital offence that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The State alleges that Mr Kalungi and five others, also remanded to Luzira Prison, caused the death of Nebanda.
The five, who were charged on December 31, are believed to be Mr Kalungi’s friends. They include Ms Fatuma Babu, Mr Abid Rashid Butt, Mr Noor Abubakar, Mr Khan Babu Abdul and Mr Ali Omar Almuzahim
According to the charge sheet, Mr Kalungi also faces other charges of unlawful possession of narcotic drugs, contrary to Section 47 (1) and 60 (2) of the National Drug Policy and Authority, Act Cap 206.
The State alleges that between last September and December, Mr Kalungi had in his possession a class A drug.
He is also jointly charged with the other five in another with supplying the restricted drug.
Mr Kalungi was driven to Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court under tight security by a team from the Special Investigations Unit Kireka, where he has been since Friday.
Makindye residents had gathered outside the court in groups to have a glimpse at the man believed to have been Nebanda’s boyfriend.
While in court, he appeared gloomy and often looked down.
Dressed in green trousers, a maroon squared shirt and a casual brownish leather jacket, Mr Kalungi was driven away in a white saloon car to Luzira under tight security.
