Kasiwukira killers feared his witchcraft, says prosecution
KAMPALA- Court has heard that the late Eriya Bugembe Sebunya who was popularly known as Kasiwukira; was murdered by his wife Sarah Nabikolo after the deceased had brought home supernatural powers that demanded a blood sacrifice.
Further, the Makindye court presided over by Grade One Magistrate George Watyekere heard that the ghostly spirits that the late Kasiwukira had brought to his matrimonial home; were demanding to kill either Ms Nabikolo who is now a suspect in this murder case or her children, a situation that forced her to act faster.
The bizarre revelations were contained in committal papers (summary of the case) presented to court by prosecution.
This comes the conclusion of investigations into the brutal murder of the prominent businessman in October last year by a speeding car that ran over him as he jogged in his Muyenga neighbourhood.
The murder case is against Kasiwukira’s widow (Ms Nabikolo), Nabikolo’s younger sister (Ms Sandra Nakungu) and a police man (Ashraf Jaden) formerly attached to Muyenga police post.
“ Initial investigations conducted within the deceased’s family circles showed that the deceased and his first wife Nabikolo Sarah were having problems in their marriage on account of suspicion of his involvement in supernatural powers locally referred to as mayembe which were disorganising the home,” read the indictment in part that was presented to court.
The indictment further reads: “The wife blamed him (Kasiwukira) for having brought mayembe and had with the help of Sandra Nakungu (sister to Nabikolo) been seen to seek various solutions for the problem. The bad relationship was reported to have started the statements confirming the meetings and the plot to kill.”
“ He (Ashraf Jaden) also informed him (assailant) that the reason why Kasiwukira was to be killed was because he had brought mayembe which were now demanding a blood sacrifice of either the wife or children of the elder wife who stayed in Muyenga.”
Prosecution further stated that Kasiwukira’s wife had various options of killing her husband. One of the options was to hire an assailant who would grab and kill Kasiwukira while jogging in the morning because it was his routine.
However, this plot according to the indictment, was not executed since the would be assailant (a former Amuka boy) was arrested and jailed over other matters.
When this plan failed, Mr Jaden, one of the suspects approached his long time friend, a UPDF soldier, to execute the mission and that the two allegedly met with Ms Nabikolo and her sister to discuss the plan.
The indictment showed that Ms Nabikolo was ready to pay Shs20 million to the assailant once he accomplished the mission.
But the plot to kill Kasiwukira delayed as the assailant wanted a cash payment before he could execute the plot.
According to the indictment, a few weeks later, as the soldier waited for the payment, the media broke the story of Kasiwukira’s death.
The police officer who is a third suspect, reportedly confirmed to the soldier that Ms Nabikolo was behind the death.
Court documents also indicate that the unknown assailant who executed the murder was allegedly paid Shs30 million by Ms Nabikolo.
Upon reading the indictment that took about 14 minutes, Mr Watyekere committed the three suspects to the High Court to stand trial since his court does not try murder suspects.
The suspects had teary eyes as Mr Watyekere read out the indictment to them.
Subsequently, Magistrate Watyekere further remanded them to Luzira prison until the next convenient criminal session when their case will be cause-listed and heard.
The prosecution said in its indictment that all the three accused persons are connected to the murder of Kasiwukira.
The prosecution further said they will rely on the post-mortem report, the sketch map of the scene of crime, tape recording and its transcript, copies of PF24 (police form) for medication of the deceased and the police statements to prove their case against the three suspects.
They face up to a maximum punishment of death by hanging once proved guilty of murdering Kasiwukira.
