Court asked to stay Lwakataka trial

By Dismus Buregyeya    

Relatives of the family of nine deceased persons brutally murdered in Rakai district have asked the High Court in Masaka to stay the trial of the case until when all the suspects on police file are arrested.

Their petition filed through Amran advocates and solicitors was received by the office of the Chief Court registrar on July 3.

“It appears there is connivance between the Police and the suspects to frustrate the arrests and trial process; our client is praying for court to stay hearing of the case to pave way for the quick arrest of the remaining suspects still at large,” the letter stated.

The same petition, copied to Inspector General of Police (IGP), was also received by the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

A key suspect, Emmanuel Zinda was arrested following the intervention of President Museveni . PHOTO/Dismus Buregyeya  

The concern is raised in regard to the case file No CRB 015/2013 against Ponsiono Lwakataka , Vincent Fagence , Asuman Muddu and others.

The letter stated that the arrest of another key suspect identified as Emmanuel Zinda on July 1 followed the intervention of President Museveni who instructed the Police to arrest the suspects still at large.

Zinda was arrested in Butenga, Bukomansimbi before he was committed to High Court on  July 2.  Others still at large include Richard Ssenfuma, Fred Mujulizi and Simon Kalule.

The case was adjourned until Monday.

The Southern Regional Police Commander (RPC), Maxwel Ogwal has said the Police are doing everything possible to avail the suspects.

Justice John Edeus Keitirima will preside over the trial of Lwakataka in a High Court Criminal session where a total of 42 capital cases have been set for hearing, according to the court registrar Lucy Apio.

A prime suspect identified as Asuman Muddu,20, is among the state witnesses after he made a confession.

Prosecution stated that on January 13, 2013, the accused persons brutally hacked to death a family of nine members including the head, Pastor Steven Mugambe, who also was head of Kyebe Pentecostal Church in Kasensero, Kakuuto in Rakai district.

Other deceased persons were his wife, Noelina Nalinya; Bena Nakivumbi, Jane Nakiwala, Maz Nakilijja and Maria Namatovu. 

Others were Christine Namuleme, Dan Kazibwe and Andrew Ampeirwe who was formerly attached to Jinja BAT.

Lwakataka denied the charges.