Seven charged over Mukono NGO boss murder
Wayengera was murdered while returning from a burial. He encountered men dressed in security uniforms, who kidnapped and subsequently killed him.
Pictured in the dock at Mukono court, the suspects face three charges: murder, kidnapping, and aggravated robbery. (Credit: Stuart Yiga)
By Eric Yiga
Journalists @New Vision
MUKONO - Seven men accused of murdering former Compassion International Uganda finance director Godfrey Wayengera have been arraigned before Mukono Grade One Magistrate Elizabeth Peace Lamunu.
They face three charges: murder, kidnapping, and aggravated robbery.
The suspects are Asharaf Tumusiime, 40, also known as Obadia, a resident of Ntungamo; Fahad Kasolo, 30, from Iganga; Mike Ssentaza, 40, from Wakiso, known as Mwagamwaga; Sgt. Muhammad Mwesigye, 54, also known as Jet Lee from Fort Portal and a deserter from the UPDF, Cpl. Boban Mugabe, attached to the UPDF Military Police in Kololo; Derrick Keeya, a resident of Ntenjeru in Mukono; and Dauda Kyangwe. Other suspects are still at large.
Before being taken to court, the suspects were escorted under tight security by the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JAT) to Mukono Police Station.
They were first taken to the office of the OC CID, where they met with the R/CID KMPE for a briefing. Afterwards, they were returned to the police van and transported directly to Mukono Magistrates Court under heavy security.
Tears flowed from Wayengera’s family, including his wife Miriam Wayengera, and other relatives, some of whom collapsed and had to be supported by fellow mourners.
Amidst the emotional scenes, the court heard that the suspects and others still at large, on June 9, 2025, at Nsuube A village in Mukono Central Division, used a toy pistol and sticks to kidnap Wayengera and Christine Najjabi. The toy pistol was then allegedly used to beat and kill Wayengera, 45.
The suspects being led to court where they were charged three charges: murder, kidnapping, and aggravated robbery. (Credit: Stuart Yiga)
The court further heard that during the kidnapping of Wayengera and Najjabi, the suspects stole several items.
These included Wayengera’s Samsung SMA256E mobile phone valued at sh1.3m and a Dell Latitude 5420 laptop worth sh3m. Najjabi’s Tecno Spark mobile phone, valued at sh80,000, was also taken.
Senior resident state attorney Emily Ninsiima informed Magistrate Lamunu that investigations into the case are ongoing and requested that the suspects be remanded.
The magistrate reminded the suspects that her court does not have jurisdiction to try such capital offences and remanded them to Luzira Prison until August 7, 2025, for mention.
“This court is not permitted to hear your case, but you have the right to apply for bail from the High Court, and you will be returned next month for mention.”
The suspects were arrested from various locations following a directive by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to apprehend those responsible for Wayengera's killing.
Wayengera was murdered while returning from a burial. He encountered men dressed in security uniforms, who kidnapped and subsequently killed him.
He was the director of Beloved Daycare and Nursery School in Nsuube and a leader at St Hannington Church of Uganda.