Kanyamunyu's girlfriend spends first night in Luzira crying

The three suspects in the Lugogo shooting of Kenneth Akena; Matthew Kanyamunyu, his brother, Joseph Kanyamunyu and their co-accused Cynthia Munwangari had a rude awakening on life behind bars.

Authorities at Luzira Prisons barred the trio from the privilege of using personal mattresses and bedding.

"Owing to the increasing congestion within Uganda's prisons, the prisons administration recommends a 2-inch mattress for each inmate. The inmates are barred from bringing in luxurious bedding," Frank Baine, the prison's publicist told New Vision.

Unaware of the prisons' restrictions, the Kanyamunyus reportedly went with personal mattresses and beddings to the prison and were shocked when the prison administrators asked their relatives to take them back.

"Prison is not a home, so the Kanyamunyus should not expect VIP treatment. Whoever is admitted to prison, must bear with the rules and regulations. They will, therefore, be treated like any other prisoner," Baine explained.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity told New Vision that the Kanyamunyus arrived at Ward 16 (prisons' transit centre) late and, therefore, were neither provided with mattresses nor blankets.

Luckily for them, one inmate agreed to lend them his blankets which they used for the cold night.

Sources said Munwangari was extremely upset on arrival at the female section of prisons and spent the night crying.

Baine confirmed that the Kanyamunyus spent a night at Ward 16 with other inmates as they wait for relocation to permanent wards of residence.

Matthew and Joseph Kanyamunyu and their co-accused Cynthia Munwangari were on Tuesday charged with murder before Nakawa Chief Magistrate's Court and remanded to Luzira Prisons.

The account from prison is in stark contrast to the trio's jovial demeanor when appearing in court on Tuesday. Photo by Nicholas Oneal

The trio was charged with the murder of NGO worker Kenneth Watmon Akena.

On arrival at Luzira, the Kanyamunyus went through the admission procedure that, among other things, entails recording details of the case, background, next of kin and property.

The prisons staff also took their weight and height, before allocating them prison numbers and yellow uniform.

Munwangari is number WLW941R/2016, Matthew Kanyamunyu is UR1054R/2016 while Joseph Kanyamunyu is UR1055R/2016.

When the New Vision journalist visited Luzira yesterday, she saw the Kanyamunyus dressed in the yellow prison uniform. But the authorities at the prison could not allow the reporter to talk to the suspects.

Celestine Twesigye, the Officer in charge of Upper Prisons, said inmates, irrespective of their status, receive medical services within Murchison Bay Inmate's Referral Hospital.

The inmates who need special attention, are referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital, according to Twesigye.

Matthew Kanyamunyu was arrested over the shooting and death of Akena. It is alleged that during the incident, Matthew was with his girlfriend, Munwangari, in the car.

It is also alleged that shortly after the shooting, Matthew had a telephone conversation with his brother, Joseph.

In his statement, Kanyamunyu denies shooting Akena, saying although he had an exchange with the deceased over ramming into his car, he did not harm him (Akena).

Kanyamunyu claims (in his statement to the Police) that his only crime was taking Akena to hospital after he was shot.

Akena was shot in the stomach.  He died the next day (November 13) at Norvik Hospital on Bombo Road, Kampala.