Judgment in Pine Car Depot murder case set for May 30

High Court Judge Flavia Anglin Ssenoga has set May 30 to give her verdict in the murder case against Pine Car Depot boss Muhammad Ssebuwufu.

Ssebuwufu and seven others are accused of murdering city businesswoman Betty Donah Katusabe over a sh9m debt.

Katusabe was allegedly tortured to death by the accused on October 21, 2015, at Pine Car Depot on Lumumba Avenue in Kampala.

Court records indicate that Katusabe acquired a Toyota Premio registration number UAX 481H from Ssebuwufu at sh17m and remitted sh8m thereby remaining with a balance of sh9m which the prosecution says led to her murder.

The trial judge set the date on Monday after the three assessors in the matter—Rehema Babirye, Betty Bogere and Joseph Wasibi—gave their opinion in which they invited the court to acquit all of the accused on grounds that the prosecution failed to prove all ingredients of the offences in addition to their participation.

"I have another criminal session which I am handling. I, therefore, need some time to write the judgment in this matter. I consequently adjourn it until May 30 for judgment," Ssenoga ruled.

Ssebuwufu is battling murder, kidnap with intent to murder and aggravated robbery charges together with Paul Tasingika, Shaban Odutu alias Golola, Philip Mirambe, Kayiza Godfrey, Stephen Lwanga, Yoweri Kitayimbwa and Damaseni Ssentongo.

The prosecution alleges that the accused and others still at large on October 21, 2015, kidnapped Katusabe before beating her to death at Pine Car Depot.

They are also accused of robbing the deceased of her cellphone worth sh300,000.