Entebbe women murders: Suspects remanded

One of the suspects crying after the court hearing at Nabweru on Friday. Photo by Nancy Nanyonga

Relatives of the 17 suspects indicted over the murder of women in Nansana municipality, Wakiso district burst into tears on Friday as court remanded the suspects until October 31.

At about 8:00am, over 80 relatives of the suspects trooped into Nabweru Chief Magistrates' Court to support the accused, however, some of them wept uncontrollably after court further remanded them.

Chief Magistrate Esther Nasambu remanded the suspects until October 31 when they will re-appear in court to know the status of the investigations in their case after state attorney, Joan Keko, informed court that inquiries in the case are still underway.

"Your worship, we pray that the suspects be further remanded to enable us finalise the investigations," Keko said.

The accused are Ibrahim Kaweesa, Robert Mugerwa, Isma Tamale, Steven Ssempijja, Mahad Kakumba, Sam Mayambala, Philip Tumuhimbise, David Wasswa, George Ssempa, Bosco Waligo and Ismael Ssegawa and a female Tina Prosper Nantongo. Nantogo is the wife to accused Kaweesa.

Their arrest followed the murder of over 23 women in Nansana and Entebbe between May 3 and September 10. 

Some of the murdered women in Wakiso district include Juliet Nampijja alias Jalia Nantabazi, Patricia Nansubuga, Maria Birungi, Josephine Nakazibwe, Teddy Nakacwa, Juliet Kyandali, Gorreti Nansubuga.

Others are Faith Komugisha alias Jamila, Dona Zakanya alias Aisha Kasowole, Norah Wanyama, Rose Nakimuli, Sarah Nakajjo, Aisha Nakasinde and Jalia Nalule, Mary Nabilanda.

The suspects are indicted on charges of terrorism, murder and aggravated robbery which attracts a maximum penalty of death on conviction.

Earlier, suspect Wasswa pleaded with the Chief Magistrate to set him free, claiming that he was flamed by his co-accused Kaweesa. 

 "Your worship, I am wrongly arraigned before this court, I was flamed by Kaweesa and Police arrested me, but he knows that I did not commit the offence," the teary Wasswa told court.

However, the Chief Magistrate informed him that she has no powers to handle the case and he should wait and present his complaint in the High Court.

The charges 

On terrorism, prosecution alleges that the accused for purposes of intimidating the public for social, political or economic reasons and without due regard to the safety of others, directly involved themselves in the acts of terrorism by murdering women.

It is further alleged that the accused persons robbed the deceased of their property including a mattress, mobile phones, blankets and pair of bed sheets.