Kasese boy asks court to jail his mother for life

By Petride Mudoola

KASESE - A 17-year-old boy stunned the High Court in Kasese when he asked the judge to sentence his mother to life imprisonment for killing his father.

The boy was appearing in a plea bargain criminal session presided over by the Fort Portal resident judge Justice David Batema.

A bargain criminal session is for victims, complainants, prosecution and the judge to make a collective contribution on the fate of accused persons who plead guilty of an offence before court.

“I am aware that the woman standing in the dock is my mother, but having killed my father, I do not want to see her again. I pray this honourable court gives her a life sentence,” the boy told court.

Appearing in court was Enid Kibanyenzire, a resident of Nyakatooma village in Kamwenge district, accused of murdering her husband, Fred Kwongerire on June 5, 2013 during a fight after a domestic disagreement.

While the son insisted on a life sentence for his mother, the Nyakatooma LC1 chairman, John Kibisu, appealed to court to give Kibanynzire a 20-year imprisonment.

Prosecution told court that the deceased violently treated the accused whenever he returned home drunk.

‘Self-defence’

Court heard that on the fateful day, Kibanyenzire opened the door for Kwongerire and thereafter served him food, which he instead poured in her face and a brawl ensued.

Kibanyenzire reportedly hit her husband with a stick twice then fled to the neighbour’s home where she spent the night. The following morning, it is said, she informed Kibisu about the previous day’s scuffle with her husband.

Kibisu informed her that her husband was rushed to Soweto Health Unit in Kamwenge from where he died shortly after.

Kibanyenzire was arrested and taken to Kamwenge Police Station and subsequently charged with murder.

She pleaded guilty to the offence, saying she did not intend to kill her husband, but acted in self-defence.

“The offence you committed carries a maximum sentence of death, but I accept the plea bargain agreement and sentence you to 13 years’ imprisonment,” Batema ruled.