Uganda convicts South African film producer over cocaine

By Edward Anyoli and Steven Candia    
    
A South African movie producer, Kathryne Fuller, was Thursday convicted and sentenced to a fine after pleading guilty to consuming cocaine, a drug restricted internationally.

Kathryne Fuller 29, Fuller consumed the drug with an American television producer, Rich Jeffrey in a room at Serena Hotel, Kampala. Jeffrey was later found dead in the room and Fuller unconscious. Although she recovered consciousness after treatment, she is still paralysed.

Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Sylvia Nabaggala sentenced Fuller to a fine of sh1m which she paid.

Kathryne was brought to court in an ambulance and taken to the Magistrate's Chambers in a wheelchair accompanied by her father Fuller Stuart.

Paul Rutisya, the lawyer who represented the Fuller asked court for a lenient sentence saying she did not waste court's time and that she should be given another chance to reform.

Moses Kalanzi, 23, the co - accused who was charged with unlawful possession of narcotic drug, supplying and dispensing of restricted drugs, manslaughter and neglect to cause death, denied the charges. Kalanzi allegedly committed the offence on February 17, 2012.

Kalanzi, who was accompanied by his lawyer Moses Kiiza, was denied bail and remanded to Luzira prison until March 15 after he failed to produce sureties to stand for him.

Kalanzi is accused of supplying the drugs to Fuller and Rich Jeffrey.

Fuller and Jeffrey came to Uganda on Febuary 15th as an advanced team to film a documentary in Uganda in conjunction with Hope Medical clinics and  Sterley Foundation based in Minesota.

On February 18, at about 11:00pm Rich Jeffrey David was found at the balcony while Kathryne was found unconscious and was rushed to Surgery clinics in Kampala in a critical condition.

Police investigation revealed that deceased and Kathyrne had consumed cocaine.

Prosecution led by Resident State Attorney Martin Rukondo had asked court for a stringent sentence saying it would deter other would-be consumers.

The Magistrate concurred with Rutisya that the convict need a medical attention which she would not adequately access in prison.

"Court has taken note of the convict who is in need for treatment and a custodial sentence would serve no purpose as punishment," Nabaggala said.