Court bailiff, CMI spy charged with murder
Moses Kirunda at Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday . PHOTO/COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The two allegedly caused the death of Magid Mugwanya early this year.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has sanctioned murder charges against renowned bailiff Moses Kirunda and a UPDF major attached to the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, despite the latter being charged with the same offences in the army court.
DPP Jane Frances Abodo sanctioned charges against Kirunda and Maj Nelson Marks Kyatuka for allegedly causing the death of Magid Mugwanya at Kitanzi Zone, Lungujja in Rubaga Division on July 14.
Mugwanya was shot dead as he attempted to respond to an incident where a woman was being dragged into a car at night allegedly by the accused.
Witnesses say on the fateful day, Mugwanya, who had parked by the roadside, moved out of his car to help the woman, but one of the three men shot him dead, despite identifying himself and raising his hands.
Kirunda appeared in Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Magistrate Sarah Basemera who didn’t allow him to take plea because her court doesn’t have the powers to try murder cases. He was remanded to Kitalya Prison until September 1.
State House Anti-Corruption operatives re-arrested Kirunda after he was last week given police bond under unclear circumstances.
Maj Kyatuka wasn’t present in the court to be charged.
The DPP spokesperson, Ms Jacquelyn Okui, said Maj Kyatuka’s case file will be reviewed.
“The case file is being resubmitted to the DPP for reconsideration of the charge against Maj Nelson Marks Kyatuuka, who is apparently being tried by the Court Martial,” Ms Okui said.
The army had earlier charged Maj Kyatuuka in the court martial with one count of murder and two counts of failure to protect war materials, charges he denies. Maj Kyatuka was remanded to the Quarter Guard of Makindye Military Police Barracks.
Ms Okui said yesterday that they have no authority on cases tried in the court martial.
Looking back
Magid Mugwanya was shot dead as he attempted to respond to a woman, who was being dragged into a car at night allegedly by the accused in July. Witnesses say on the fateful day, Mugwanya had parked his car on the roadside when he saw a woman, crying and seeking help.
The woman was being dragged by three men into a car at night. Mugwanya reportedly moved out of his car to help the woman, but one of the three men shot him in the chest, despite identifying himself and raising his hands up.
