Judge faults DPP in Kananura murder case

Kampala High Court Judge Joseph Murangira has accused Prosecution led by Principal State Attorney Jane Kajuga over delaying tactics in the trial of Panamera bar boss Andrew Kananura alias Desh and his-co-accused.

According to prosecution, the accused on September 30, 2012, allegedly tortured a one Badru Katerega to death after they found him with sh30,000 tips that exceeded the allowed amount to be held by any worker at the bar.

Kateregga was a bar attendant at Panamera bar and Lounge, located in the city suburbs of Naguru. Others accused include his brother Raymond Kananura, Cyrus Maganda, Jacob Onyanyo and Samuel Muzolewo. They are currently out on bail.

When the case came up for defense hearing, prosecutor Ruth Kabahuma told court that she had instructions from Kajuga only to adjourn the case.

"My Lord, the prosecutor in the case is indisposed. She travelled to Masaka for burial and instructed me to request for an adjournment.  She proposed to me either March 2 or March 3 of this year," Kabahuma said.

Also Frank Mugisha told court that he was holding brief for defense lawyers led by Chris Bakiiza who were also indisposed and asked for an adjournment. This irritated Murangira and informed both parties that their arguments were vague and would not warrant an adjournment.

"Your arguments to seek for an adjournment in this case do not hold water at all (Ambiguous). However since both parties in the case have not objected to the adjournment, the case is hereby adjourned to tomorrow (Thursday) for hearing," Murangira ruled.

Murangira said that he is supposed to handle the matter within two weeks' time because he has another criminal session he is yet to handle."This is not the only case I am supposed to handle. I have other matters and this case must be concluded in the shortest time possible," he said.

According to the Penal Code Act (PCA), any person who is convicted of murder faces a maximum penalty of death. Recently, prosecution was forced to close its case with four witnesses testifying. This was after other witnesses defied prosecution summons to appear in court to testify against the latter.

The four witnesses who testified in the case include an ex-employee of Panamera bar and Lounge Emmanuel Taika, Mulago Senior Pathologist Dr. Sylvester Ozivua and police officers Edgar Akankwasa and Steven Kalyegira.