Policeman charged in Kiyingi murder

Jul 20, 2005

A POLICE detective yesterday became the fourth suspect charged with the murder of a city lawyer, Robinah Kiyingi.

By Charles Ariko and Edward Anyoli

A POLICE detective yesterday became the fourth suspect charged with the murder of a city lawyer, Robinah Kiyingi.

Bob Mugisha, attached to Old Kampala Police Station and resident in Namungoona, a Kampala suburb, was brought to Buganda Road Court in a white Police pick-up truck escorted by a plainclothes detective at 2:08pm.

Kiyingi, who was said to be at the centre of a bitter divorce case, was shot seven times in the head in her car as she waited for the gate to open at her home in Buziga, a city suburb, last week. The murder jolted the nation.

Mugisha appeared briefly before Magistrate Susan Kanyange, who read the charges to him before sending him on remand in Luzira Maximum Security Prison.

“Have you understood the charges? You don’t have to enter any plea. You have the right to apply for bail before the High Court. You are remanded till August 3, for mention of the case when you will appear with the other co-accused,” Kanyange said.
The other suspects who were charged on Tuesday were Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi, the husband of the deceased, John Atwine, a UPDF soldier and Charles Berwanaho, a self-employed businessman of Banda in Kampala Mugisha arrived in court in a maroon, long-sleeved untucked shirt over black trousers and black shoes.

He carried a black jacket over his handcuffed hands and tried in vain to shield his face from the numerous cameras that were clicking away.

He was escorted to the dock at 2:18pm by four uniformed Police officers that kept guard at the entrance to the dock.

Kanyange informed Mugisha that he could not answer to the charge since the court had no powers to try the case.

The State Attorney, Conslate Ujeo, said the Police were still investigating the murder.

For the few minutes that he spent in the dock, Mugisha looked calm save for a few glances at the people in the court.

Yesterday’s court proceedings were attended by a few people, most of them journalists, unlike the Tuesday proceedings when the others were charged.

After the charges were read to him, Mugisha was whisked back to the cells to await transportation to Luzira.

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