Rukutana acid case trial starts
Mar 15, 2010
THE trial of Halima Nsimire ,wife to state minister for higher education Mwesigwa Rukutana, started yesterday at Makindye Court with the first witness testifying.
By Andante Okanya
THE trial of Halima Nsimire, wife to state minister for higher education Mwesigwa Rukutana, started yesterday at Makindye Court with the first witness testifying.
The prosecution alleges that on May 21 last year, Nsimire conspired with her co-accused, Hope Ashaba and Bright Niwandinda and poured acid on Gloria Nankunda. The three are facing charges of attempted murder.
In the court, the state produced its first witness, Rina Ntorinwe, who was with the victim during the acid attack.
Ntorinwe, a friend of Nankunda, told the court that on the fateful day, they went to inspect some apartments in Zana.
She testified that as they returned from attending an introduction ceremony of Rukutana’s daughter, at Nankunda’s residence that night, she saw a suspicious man moving around.
As Nankunda hooted for the gatekeeper to open, her friend shouted, stepped on the accelerator and in the process knocked the gate.
She said it was then that she realised acid had been poured on them. They then called for help from the neighbours and the minister.
THE trial of Halima Nsimire, wife to state minister for higher education Mwesigwa Rukutana, started yesterday at Makindye Court with the first witness testifying.
The prosecution alleges that on May 21 last year, Nsimire conspired with her co-accused, Hope Ashaba and Bright Niwandinda and poured acid on Gloria Nankunda. The three are facing charges of attempted murder.
In the court, the state produced its first witness, Rina Ntorinwe, who was with the victim during the acid attack.
Ntorinwe, a friend of Nankunda, told the court that on the fateful day, they went to inspect some apartments in Zana.
She testified that as they returned from attending an introduction ceremony of Rukutana’s daughter, at Nankunda’s residence that night, she saw a suspicious man moving around.
As Nankunda hooted for the gatekeeper to open, her friend shouted, stepped on the accelerator and in the process knocked the gate.
She said it was then that she realised acid had been poured on them. They then called for help from the neighbours and the minister.