Kanyamunyu trial to resume in April

Matthew Kanyamunyu (R) and his girlfriend Cynthia Munwangari

Kampala- The Judiciary has said the murder trial of businessman Matthew Kanyamunyu and his girlfriend Cynthia Munwangari will resume in April before the same judge.

Justice Stephen Mubiru last week adjourned the trial to the next convenient criminal session.

The Judiciary principal communications officer, Mr Solomon Muyita, yesterday said the head of the Criminal Division, Justice Wilson Kwesiga, said they will mobilise resources so that the same judge can return and complete the trial.

“There were seven cases that Justice Mubiru did not complete, including that of Kanyamunyu, yet the resources and time allocated to him were exhausted. Actually, he was supposed to be here for 40 days but he had to exceed to about three months,” Mr Muyita said by telephone.

He added: “Once the resources are secured, the judge will return and resume hearing the seven cases.”
Usually, a criminal session has 40 case files that are meant to be heard in 40 days.

Principal Judge Flavian Zeija had also indicated that he was to meet Justice Mubiru yesterday to chart a way forward about the Kanyamunyu trial.

Mr Kanyamunyu and his girlfriend are charged with the murder of children rights activist Kenneth Akena on November 12, 2016 after the latter scratched the rear of their car while he reversed. They deny the charges.

On Friday last week, Justice Mubiru adjourned the trial to the next criminal session and returned the case file to the Criminal Division on account that his one-month trial session had elapsed and he had to return to his duty station in Gulu District. At the time of halting the trial, prosecution had presented 13 witnesses and was only left with one to close its case.