I housed Kiyingi killers â€" witness
Jun 19, 2006
“John Atwine and Barnabbas (other name unknown) who killed city lawyer Robinah Kiyingi, stayed in my house in Kireka,†a principal state witness told court yesterday.
By Hillary Kiirya and Edward Anyoli
“John Atwine and Barnabbas (other name unknown) who killed city lawyer Robinah Kiyingi, stayed in my house in Kireka,†a principal state witness told court yesterday.
Nicholas Musiime, who said he harboured the alleged killers in his single room tenement in the two weeks to and after the murder, was testifying at the opening of the trial.
Robinah’s husband, Ugandan-born Australian cardiologist, Aggrey Kiyingi, a Police detective Bob Mugisha and Charles Berwanaho, a businessman from Banda, are on trial over the murder.
Justice Opio Aweri is conducting the trial at the High Court in Kampala. Musiime said Atwine, who has since died in prison, and Barnabas, told him of their mission to kill Kiyingi while at his place.
“In July, Atwine came from Gulu to my residence, where he told me that he had got sick leave for about two weeks. I allowed him to stay with me since he was my friend and had lived with him before,†said Musiime.
Amid protests from the defence lawyers that his testimony was hearsy, musiime said Atwine told him that they had a deal to kill Robinah Kiyingi.
He said the deal was from Dr. Kiyingi, who wanted his wife killed. He said Atwine’s deal was with his brother Charles. He said Atwine told him that Dr. Kiyingi had a misunderstanding with his wife and wanted her dead.
The lawyers insisted that the testimony should not be allowed because it is hearsy, but the judge overruled them, saying they should wait and discredit it during cross-examination.
Musiime said he later heard that the deal had been accomplished.
He said Atwine told him that the deal involved a lot of money, adding that Atwine warned him not to reveal anything. He said he also feared to reveal anything because Atwine had threatened him.
Asked about Barnabas, Musiime said it was a few days before the murder that Barnabas went to his place to team up with Atwine.
Joan Kagezi and Annet Kote are conducting the prosecution. Sylvia Namubiru is on a watching brief for the Uganda Law Society. On the defence team is MacDusman Kabega and Ddamulira muguluma.
Kiyingi, Charles Berwanaho and Bob Mugisha were last year charged with the murder of city advocate Robinah Erinah Kayaga Kiyingi.
“John Atwine and Barnabbas (other name unknown) who killed city lawyer Robinah Kiyingi, stayed in my house in Kireka,†a principal state witness told court yesterday.
Nicholas Musiime, who said he harboured the alleged killers in his single room tenement in the two weeks to and after the murder, was testifying at the opening of the trial.
Robinah’s husband, Ugandan-born Australian cardiologist, Aggrey Kiyingi, a Police detective Bob Mugisha and Charles Berwanaho, a businessman from Banda, are on trial over the murder.
Justice Opio Aweri is conducting the trial at the High Court in Kampala. Musiime said Atwine, who has since died in prison, and Barnabas, told him of their mission to kill Kiyingi while at his place.
“In July, Atwine came from Gulu to my residence, where he told me that he had got sick leave for about two weeks. I allowed him to stay with me since he was my friend and had lived with him before,†said Musiime.
Amid protests from the defence lawyers that his testimony was hearsy, musiime said Atwine told him that they had a deal to kill Robinah Kiyingi.
He said the deal was from Dr. Kiyingi, who wanted his wife killed. He said Atwine’s deal was with his brother Charles. He said Atwine told him that Dr. Kiyingi had a misunderstanding with his wife and wanted her dead.
The lawyers insisted that the testimony should not be allowed because it is hearsy, but the judge overruled them, saying they should wait and discredit it during cross-examination.
Musiime said he later heard that the deal had been accomplished.
He said Atwine told him that the deal involved a lot of money, adding that Atwine warned him not to reveal anything. He said he also feared to reveal anything because Atwine had threatened him.
Asked about Barnabas, Musiime said it was a few days before the murder that Barnabas went to his place to team up with Atwine.
Joan Kagezi and Annet Kote are conducting the prosecution. Sylvia Namubiru is on a watching brief for the Uganda Law Society. On the defence team is MacDusman Kabega and Ddamulira muguluma.
Kiyingi, Charles Berwanaho and Bob Mugisha were last year charged with the murder of city advocate Robinah Erinah Kayaga Kiyingi.