Lwakataka remanded on murder charges

Dismus Buregyeya and Devis Buyondo

POPULAR rally driver, Ponsiono Lwakataka (38) has been remanded to Kalisizo Central Government Prison after nine counts of murder charges were read against him before the Rakai Grade 1 magistrate, Latif Nakibinge.

Another related charge of attempting to murder one Julius Karyowa (13) who was among the survivors of the nine family members who were brutally murdered in Kyebe, Rakai district was read to Lwakataka.

Lwakataka who was lifted to court on grounds of ill health, failed to respond to the charges and was remanded until August 1.

Lwakataka’s lawyers, Hassan Kamba and Julius Turinawe argued that their client was very sick that he could not understand or hear the charges read to him.

Before a packed court, prosecution led by the resident state attorney Racheal Namazzi read the nine murder charges against Lwakataka.

The deceased persons include Pastor Stephen Mugambe, Noelina Nalinya, Bena Nakivumbi, Jane Nakiwala, Christine Nasimbwa, Max Nakirijja, Dan Ssemwanga, Andrew Mpeirwe and Maria Nakajugo.

The nine deceased persons murdered in January last year were members of Kyebe Pentecostal Church which was funded by donors from Denmark.

Primary investigations linked Lwakataka to the incident because of the conflict that developed with Pastor Mugambe over church funds from Denmark where one of the signatories to the funds was a relative of Lwakataka.

Two of the key suspects on remand in Masaka Central Prison Asuman Muddu (18) and Vincent Ssegasi a Tanzania national claimed Lwakataka hired them to execute the nine.

A total of six suspects have been arrested by police in connection with the Kyebe murder.

Lwatakata is also facing four charges of assaulting a police cop identified as Mikidadi Kabiito before Kalisizo court.

The deputy IGP,Edward Ongom told New Vision that Lwakataka faces numerous criminal cases in various parts of the country.