MP Nyanzi murder charges withdrawn

By Florence Nakaayi The Director Public Prosecution (DPP) has withdrawn murder charges against the former state minister for gender also Busujju MP, Vincent Nyanzi.He has, however, committed Nyanzi’s guard to the High Court for trial.Nyanzi was yesterday discharged by the Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate, John Arutu, after the state prosecutor, Cate Basuuta, tendered in the DPP’s withdrawal letter.“This is to inform court that the DPP has decided to discontinue proceedings against Vincent Nyanzi charged with murder,” the letter dated April 12, said.Prosecution accused Nyanzi of shooting dead Vincent Mwebesa on the day of the parliamentary elections on June 26, 2001 at Banda village, Mityana in Mubende district.However, investigations revealed that the minister’s Police guard, Paul Byona, was the one who shot the deceased. Basuuta told court that the state had completed it’s inquiries.Byona, who was in court yesterday was not allowed to take plea because the court did not have jurisdiction over the case. He will take plea in the High Court.Byona is reported to have initially taken the blame for the murder but later retracted his statement. “I was innocent and this is a good lesson to politicians who want to frame others. “Anyone can find himself in this situation,” Nyanzi said.