Nebanda death case: Karungi has case to answer

By JOB BWIRE

Makindye Magistrate’s court has ruled that Adam Suleiman Karungi and his co-accused have a case to answer.

Karungi, the key suspect in the death of former Butaleja woman legislator, Cerinah Nebanda and his five co-accused persons have been told to file their defense in a case in which they are accused of manslaughter.

Prosecution led by the principal state attorney, Andrew Odiit alleges that on December 14, 2012 in Buziga, Makindye Division Kampala Karungi, Noor Abubakar, Khan Babu, Abdul Abid Rashid Butt, Ali Omar Almuzahim and Fatuma Babu and others still at large unlawfully caused the death of MP Nebanda.

They are also accused of two other counts, including unlawful possession and supply of narcotic drugs between September and December last year.

In her ruling on Friday, the trial chief magistrate Ester Nambayo said the accused persons are required to start their defense on November 25 and 29 because prosecution had through the evidence adduced in court proved a prima facie case against Karungi and each of his co-accused persons.

“From the evidence on record, it is clear that Nebanda’s death was caused by unlawful means. Prosecution has also presented evidence to show that her (Nebanda’s) death was caused by classified drugs at Karungi’s home in Buziga,” she said.

According to Nambayo, prosecution witness number fourteen, Jamaririyamv Bigirimana, a 23year-old Rwandese national who earlier on during his testimony confessed to peddling drugs and transacting with the accused persons made prosecution case stronger.

“However, the recovery of the said drugs from Karungi’s home was challenged by the defense counsels. This therefore leaves us with the question as to whether there are any acts of omissions by the accused persons that led to Nebanda’s death,” she added.

“And my finding therefore, is that each of the accused has a case to answer,” Nambayo ruled Nambayo before adjourning the case to November 25 for further hearing.