Former Cranes manager denies sodomy charges

By Farooq Kasule

The Former Cranes manager, Christopher Mubiru has denied the charges of sodomy brought against him before the Buganda road magistrate’s court.

On Friday, while appearing before chief magistrate Lillian Buchyana Mubiru denied having betrothed in sodomy acts arguig it was a concoction by a group of people to tarnish his name.

He also denied knowledge of the applicants; “I first saw them in court when they were testifying against me” he said.

When prosecution led by Peter Mugisha asked him the possibility of the applicant to identify him if they had never met plus knowing very well his residence,  the angry Mubiru said that he comes from a protuberant family known to many people.

“I am a prominent figure since I was once the Uganda national team manager, and coming from Kisingiri family makes me familiar to many people,” Mubiru said

He further told court that the items recovered from his home and examined by the senior government analyst Justus Ochom were used for his own well-being.

“Pain killers are used for my broken knees, dermatological creams for my dry skin," he said but failed to explain the chloroform recovered from his home.

Prosecution alleges that in December 2009, while at Mengo Kisingiri LCI, a Kampala suburb, Mubiru had sexual relations with Emmanuel Nyanzi, Charles owundo and others against the order of nature, an offence contrary to section 145(a) of penal code act.

The crime is punishable with 18 years in prison on conviction.

Mubiru also faces an alternative count of attempting and having sex with children below 18 years.

He was arrested on December 15, 2009 and detained at Katwe police station for interrogations before he was charged at Buganda Road court. He is currently on bail.

The case was adjourned to June 29 for further hearing of the defense witness.