COURT | MURDER | DPP

KAMPALA - The bereaved family of Mohammed Mahad, who was allegedly murdered at Dembe Trading Enterprises Company, have protested the withdrawal of charges against the company manager, Uwera Zia Murekatete.

The Director for Public Prosecution (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo dropped murder charges against Murekatete under Section 120 of the Constitution after preliminary investigations revealed that she did not participate in the murder of Mahad.

When the case resumed on Friday at Nakawa Chief Magistrates’ Court, Murekatete and Frank Namanya’s names were missing on the charge sheet and State Attorney Eunice Baine informed court that the charges against the duo were withdrawn.

Baine also told court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Frank Namanya that investigations into the matter are still ongoing and asked court to adjourn the case to another date.

“Investigations into the matter are incomplete and Nakawa Resident State Attorney still has the file as more evidence is being gathered,” she said.

After the court session, the deceased’s bereaved family led by Hadijah Fatumah Madinah Nusura and Abdul Malik protested the move by the prosecution to discontinue proceedings against Murekatete, claiming she is equally responsible for Mahad’s death.

“She is the one who instructed the company employees to beat Mahad to death,” Fatumah lamented.

Hamza Nkalubo, also a relative, said it is disheartening for charges to be dropped against Murekatete, without informing them, the complainants in the matter.

Security guards

Gideon Odeke, the head security at Dembe Trading Company and security guards John Kalvin Opondo and Micheal Nyalulu still remain charged with the murder of Mahad. 

Mahad had worked with the company for over 15 years.

Under Sections 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act, any person convicted of murder shall be sentenced to death.

Prosecution alleges that the accused and others still at large on March 16, this year, at Dembe Trading Enterprises Limited, Bugolobi in Kampala district with malice aforethought unlawfully caused the death of Mahad.

The case has been adjourned to August 15, 2022 for mention.