Candidate Remanded For Murder

By Jonathan Angura in Mbale A PARLIAMENTARY candidate for Bubulo West, Mbale district, Edward Wesonga, was yesterday charged with murder and remanded. Wesonga, 56, and a resident of Mbale Municipality, was charged with the murder of of a UPDF soldier, Pte. Maxwell Wasswa. The court, presided over by the Mbale Grade One Magistrate, Janeva Natukunda, did not allow him to enter plea as the offence was of capital nature only triable by the High Court. Wesonga, who was arrested on Sunday, looked worried as the charge was being read to him. He was wearing blue flip flops (sandals) and grey trousers, with unkempt hair. "I do not have the jurisdiction to grant you bail. I remand you till July 9, 2001," Natukunda told the grey-bearded Wesonga. Wesonga allegedly murdered Wasswa on June 24, 2001 in Bukitongo village, Bukigai sub-county. A gun allegedly used in the murder, was recovered wrapped in a shirt and buried. The security agencies unearthed it after a tip-off by residents. Incumbent MP Wanjusi Wasieba whom Wasswa was said to be guarding at the time of his murder, said Wasswa was attached to Nakasongola and was on a pass leave from June 15 to July 15. Wasieba was disqualified from the race for lack of academic papers after a voter complained to the Electoral Commission. Yesterday, the body was still in Mbale Hospital mortuary awaiting burial in Susoni village in Butiru sub-county. Wasieba said the UPDF 3rd Division, Mbale, was organising the burial to take place tomorrow. Meanwhile, voters for Woman MP in Busoni sub-county in Bufumbo yesterday demonstrated in Mbale town and marched to the returning officer's office demanding the nullification of the elections. They said the polls were allegedly rigged. The returning officer, Mr. George Wopuwa, announced the results without those of Busoni sub-county where some parishes never voted. Ends