Investigations into rape case against MUK don complete

May 25, 2016

Makerere University Council suspended Bakuneta over the allegations

A prosecutor in the case in which a Makerere University Professor Christopher Bakuneta, 58, is accused of raping a second year student of the institution has informed Law Development Centre (LDC) court that investigations in the case are nearly complete.

Flavia Birungi, the State Prosecutor handling the case also told court that Bakuneta would soon be sent to the High Court after the preparation of the committal papers.

Birungi requested court presided over by Grade One Magistrate George Watyekere to schedule the last mention date in the case to enable the Police finalize the investigations.

Bakuneta who appeared calm during the court session was further remanded until June 7, when he will be produced in court for the sixth time to know the status of the inquiries.

It is alleged that on March 27, 2016 at Makerere University, Bakuneta had sexual intercourse with the student who was staying at his home without her consent.

Bakuneta has been a lecturer of Zoology at Makerere University's College of Natural Sciences for over 20 years. He has authored several publications on the role of birds and wildlife conservation in Uganda.

He is charged with rape contrary to sections 123 and 124 of the Penal Code Act. The maximum sentence for rape is death while attempted rape is life imprisonment. 

Reports indicate that the victim came to know Bakuneta through her sister, who used to stay with the same lecturer in 2014.

Makerere University Council suspended Bakuneta over the allegations.

Bakuneta allegedly admitted having had sex with the victim during interrogation at Wandegeya Police Station, but he insists that it was consensual and not rape.

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