Probe in lawyer Mukisa murder complete — state

Investigations into the murder of lawyer Ronnie Mukisa are complete, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Director of Prosecutions has told court.

“My lord chairman and honourable court members, inquiries regarding the case before you are complete, we, therefore, pray that the case is slated for hearing,” Private Regina Nanzala told the General Court Martial (GCM), Tuesday (March 5, 2024).

Mukisa was gunned down on May 30, at 11:00 pm, while at his home in Kitiko-Birongo, Ndejje division in Wakiso district.

Six people including a 29-year-old woman, have since been arrested, charged, and respectively remanded at Kigo Prison, Luzira Prison and Makindye Military Police Quarter Guard, pending trial.

The accused are Brenda Cathy Nalwoga, 29, and her husband, Robert Irama Kareodu, 50, both residents of Kisasi, and Superintendent of Police Vincent Irama Urri, 45, whom the GCM has denied bail twice, on grounds that he will interfere with state investigations.

Others are army officers Corporal Geoffrey Mark Anyesa, 51, a resident of Kisasi, Kulambiro in Nakawa division in Kampala; Sergeant Rashid Ayup Okot, 33, aboding at Kafunda Kazo, Nabweru in Nansana municipality, Wakiso district and Mzee Josebert Hayeza, 51.

Among the accused, only Irama, also attached to Kampala Metropolitan North Police division has petitioned the GCM for bail, only denying him the same twice.

Defence lawyers Elizabeth Nyasingwa, Capt. Simon Nsubuga Busagwa and Private Priscilla Kakande, welcomed the state's completion of investigations, requesting the court to compel the state to disclose to them on time to enable them prepare their defence.

This prompted the GCM chairperson, Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe, to adjourn the case to March 18, 2024, for hearing.

Prosecution alleges that Irama, Anyase, Ayubu, Hayeza, Kareodu, and Nalwoga on or around May 30, 2023, at about 2300 hours at Katiko in Wakiso district, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of Mukisa.

Under the law, murder contravenes sections 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 120, and carries a maximum sentence, which is death, upon conviction.