Diplomat Rugari’s wife Kanohori charged over son’s murder

KAMPALA – The Chief Magistrates’ Court at Nakawa in Kampala is set to charge diplomat and businessman Chris Rugari's estranged wife, Joline Kanoheri Rugari, with murder of her two-and-a-half-year-old boy (Rugari Nganwa).

Kanoheri, 40, is to be charged alongside her maid, Robinah Nabanja, 24. The duo are residents of Mutungo Zone 8, Mutunto Hill Parish, Nakawa Division in Kampala district.

According to the prosecution, the duo is charged with two counts of murder and being an accessory after the fact to murder, charges that contravene Sections 171, 172, and 189 of the Penal Code Act, CAP 128.

Kanoheri’s co-accused maid Robinah Nabanja, 24, as she arrived at court on Friday. (Credit: Edward Luymbazi)

Under the law, murder attracts a maximum death penalty, whereas, being an accessory after the fact to murder elicits seven years imprisonment, upon conviction.

The charges come days after a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) analysis confirmed that the deceased child at the centre of a high-profile paternity and custody dispute was the biological son of Rugari. 

Rugari, who serves as Zimbabwe’s honorary consul to Uganda, has been locked in a bitter divorce and paternity row with his estranged wife, Kanoheri, who was arrested following forensic revelations into the baby’s suspicious death. 

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The charge

Prosecution alleges that between April 1st and 2nd, 2025, at Mutungo Zone 8, Mutungo Hill Parish, Nakawa Division in Kampala district, with malice aforethought, Kanoheri unlawfully murdered Nganwa Rugari, her son. 

It is also alleged that Nabanja, while at the same place and time, well knowing that Kanoheri had on or about the same day murdered Nganwa in order to enable her to escape punishment.

Two-and-a-half-year-old boy (Rugari Nganwa) was allegedly murdered by her mother Joline Kanoheri Rugari.

Background  

The child’s death occurred amid ongoing divorce proceedings between Kanoheri and Rugari, who had vowed to take custody of every child the DNA results proved was his.

The family court in Makindye had ordered DNA tests after Rugari doubted the paternity of some of their five children. 

He had already tested three — two of whom turned out not to be his — and had filed for custody and further DNA testing of the remaining two children, including the deceased toddler. 

Sources say Rugari had since moved out of their matrimonial home and was staying with the one child confirmed to be his biological son. The contested children had been relocated from the home pending further court proceedings.

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