Woman guilty of killing husband

By Edward Anyoli      

HIGH Court in Kampala Thursday ruled that Christine Karitundu is guilty of murdering her husband a renowned poet and drama actor Winkle Rutamirika.

Karitundu was jointly charged with Christiano Bulila, a Congolese national. The sentence will be delivered next month.

Under the Penal Code murder charge carries maximum death sentence on conviction.

Bulila and his friend only identified as Eric, who is on the run, are said to have molded a stick at Texas pub in Nsambya, which stick was suspected to have been used in the murder. Detectives found the stick at the scene of crime. Bulila denied the claims.

Rutamirika was killed on March 15, 2008 at his home in Kisugu a city suburb as he had just driven into his compound.
Assessors in their opinion asked the High Court to convict Karitundu and Bulila saying the two suspects participated in the murder of Rutamirika.

Silver Kakumba and Stella Zziwa in their joint opinion to court advised Justice Catherine Bamugemereire to convict the two suspects.

The lawyers David Matovu and Rashid Babu representing the two accused however asked the court to acquit them saying prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Christine Karitundu at court. Photo by Nicholas Kajoba

Margaret Nakigudde, principal state attorney from the Directorate of Public prosecution also asked court to convict the accused on grounds that there is overwhelming circumstantial evidence that the duo conspired to murder Rutamirika.