Nebanda death: Pathologist still in Police custody

Dec 19, 2012

Police are still holding a Mulago Hospital pathologist, Dr. Sylvester Onzivua after his arrest at Entebbe Airport Tuesday.

By Simon Masaba

Police are still holding a Mulago Hospital pathologist, Dr. Sylvester Onzivua after his arrest on Tuesday at Entebbe Airport while taking body samples of fallen MP Cerinah Nebanda to South Africa for forensic investigations.

However, there is still uncertainty surrounding the doctor's fate as sources have revealed that Dr. Onzivua is set to appear before court.

The Police Spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba however said Dr. Onzivua is still in their custody and refuted claims of him being arraigned in court.

“Police is still seeking advice from the Director Public prosecutions on how to proceed,” Nabakooba said.
Dr. Onzivua is held at the Special investigations Unit in Kireka, a Kampala suburb.

Parliament Commissioner, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, on Tuesday narrated to the House how Police had arrested and detained a pathologist commissioned to carry out forensic investigations into the death of Nebanda.

The Mulago Hospital pathologist, Dr. Onzivua was arrested just as he was about to fly to South Africa.

Baryomunsi narrated to Parliament that he had been part of a team undertaking a postmortem process involving representatives of parliament, the deceased's family and Police.

He said since the Preliminary results of the Post-Mortem were inconclusive, it was agreed to do further forensic investigations. He explained that it was agreed to split the samples into three portions.

Police pathologist Dr. Moses Byaruhanga took the sample for police, Dr. Sam Kalungi took the samples for government pathologist and Dr. Sylvester Onvizua was given the samples for an independent examination on behalf of parliament and the deceased's family.

"We agreed that that a separate medical examination be carried out by Parliament together with the deceased's family. We were there as samples were being removed from the body in three separate sets.  Parliament tasked Dr. Onzivua to go to South Africa but police intercepted him," Baryomunsi said.

Baryomunsi narrated that on Monday he received complaints from Dr. Onzivua that security people were following him and harassing on phone.

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