Dying lawyer to wife: I have been killed

By Chris Kiwawulo & Betty Amamukirori     
                
A dying Kampala city advocate told his wife: "I have been killed but I know who has done it."

The wife of the deceased renowned city lawyer and a farmer, George Mugyenyi, told mourners during a funeral service All Saints Cathedral Nakasero that those were the last words from her husband.

Mugyenyi is suspected to have been poisoned. Jovia candidly said her husband was poisoned by some people although she also did not divulge any names.

One person has been arrested in connection with the death of Mugyenyi.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed the arrest but declined to reveal the identity of the suspect.

"We have one suspect in our custody. He (the suspect) had a land dispute with the deceased (Mugyenyi). He confessed that he met the deceased on the fateful day and they discussed the dispute, but he denied ever poisoning him. We are still interrogating him," Onyango said.

Jovia, had earlier disclosed to Police some names of suspects linked to her husband’s death, according to Onyango.

The late George Mugyenyi's children escort his coffin to church  during a memorial service at All Saints Catherdal, Nakasero in Kampala on Tuesday 3 March 2015. (Photo credit: Roderick Ahimbazwe)

Police was yet to make public details of the postmortem report.

At the burial on Wednedsay,  mourners were thrown in panic when a  fire broke out a few metres from the graveside.

As they listened to the eulogy of the widow, mourners were thrown into a frenzy, many running for dear life to their cars and motorcycles,  when an unexplained fire was detected  near one of the tents.

Panicked mourners and policemen sprang in action  putting the fire out using tree branches and sand. It is suspected that  fire could have been caused by a  some unattended cigarette.

Mourners included: Nakaseke North Member of Parliament and former minister of finance Syda Bbumba, Court of Appeal judges Augustine Nshimye and Richard Buteera. Nakaseke resident district commissioner Fred Nayebare and Church of Uganda Bishop in charge of Luwero, Nakaseke and nakasongola diocese were also in attendance.

President Yoweri  Museveni in a message delivered by Bbumba said Mugyenyi "has been an agricultural role model to his people and the whole country. He transformed our local breeds of cattle into exotic sustainable breeds, by introducing the boran breeds into the country."

At the time of his death, the president said, Mugenyi was in the process of importing new breeds of cattle  to improve  local breeds.

He revealed that with  Mugenyi's involvement in the  Uganda Meat Producers Cooperative Union as a member, a lot of research has been done on cattle farming and how to improve the sector.

"He was at the forefront amongst cattle farmers, working tirelessly to introduce a model meat processing plant in his home area Ngoma,"  said the President.

Bbumba, on behalf the President, presented sh10m to finance funeral expenses.

Mugenyi was  a private legal practitioner and a senior partner with Agaba and company Advocates.

He died after allegeldly consuming something laced with poison at a meeting with unknown people in in Munyonyo suburbs.

About the deceased lawyer

• He was born on 15th March 1959. In 1989, he wedded his wife Jovia Kobusingye and hadh seven children; 4 boys and 3 girls.

• In 1974- 77, he went to Teso College, ALOET and attained East African Certificate of Education;  1978-1979 went to Makerere College, and attained East Africa Advanced Certificate of Education.
• In 1980-1983, went to Makerere University and acquired a bachelor's degree in law (LLB-Hons)
   
• In 1983-1984, attended Law Development Centre, for a Diploma in Legal Practive and in 1985, he enrolled as an advocate of the High Court of Uganda and all Courts of subornate thereto.
• In 1984 worked as an assistant lecturer at Law Development Centre
• In November, 1984, became a registrar of titles in Ministry of Lands before he became a private legal practitioner with Agaba and company advocates between 2001 and 2015.
• George has also been a member of the Uganda law Society, Uganda Meat Procedures Cooperative Union and Uganda Golf Club.