Dr. Bingi acquitted of manslaughter

By Henry Nsubuga

Mukono Chief Magistrate Agnes Nkonge has acquitted a medical doctor who was charged with manslaughter following the death of an expectant mother at his private clinic.

Dr. Christopher Bingi, 35, who is attached to Mukono Health Centre IV was arrested on October 19, 2013 following the death of an expectant mother, Florence Nakamya, 23, whom he admitted at his private clinic at Nassuuti in Mukono Central division.

Before reading the judgment on Monday, Nkonge clarified that it was written by her predecessor Magistrate Joy K Behinguza and she was only reading it as it was written.

Nkonge read that, according to the pathologist, Moses Byaruhanga who examined the body at Mulago hospital, Nakamya died as a result of obstructed labour.

true

A triumphant Dr.Bingi tests freedom after being acquitted og manslaughter. He is accompanied by his family

In his defence, Dr. Bingi, through his lawyers of Ssebaggala Paul and Company Advocates, said he was called by the deceased’s friend in the morning that he wanted his services at the clinic.
 
Bingi said that he waited for Nakamya until 1:00pm and went for lunch thereafter; the deceased together with the relatives showed up at around 2:00pm.

Bingi said that when he examined Nakamya, she was experiencing normal labour pain and left her in the hands of the nurse at the clinic before going out for other duties.

He said that he was called by the nurse at 7:00pm and found the deceased in a condition of shock following a concoction of herbal medicine that had been administered to her by her relatives.

However, Stephen Mpanga, the husband to Nakamya said that Dr. Bingi persuaded them to leave a government health facility where they had been asked to pay sh200,000, saying they would pay just half at his clinic.

Mpanga alleged that after reaching the clinic, Bingi abandoned them with the nurse and only came in when it was too late after the deceased’s condition had already worsened.

Bingi told court that he put Nakamya on a drip and took her to Mukono Church of Uganda hospital when she was still alive.

But the medical superintendent, Dr. Dickson Wabwire, said that the nurses called him to operate the dead expectant mother who had been taken there by Dr. Bingi and removed the baby. 

Nkonge said that the prosecution headed by Hussein Ntalo Nasuru failed to prove to court beyond reasonable doubt that Dr. Bingi neglected his duties causing the deceased’s death.

Nkonge therefore, acquitted Dr. Bingi of manslaughter and set him free.