Kananura takes fresh plea in murder case

KAMPALA - A murder trial of five people including Kampala businessman Andrew Kananura alias Desh, accused of beating their former employee Badru Kateregga to death, started at the High Court in Kampala.

Others are his brother Raymond Kananura, Samuel Muzolewo, Cyrus Maganda and Jacob Onyanyo. Desh and his co-accused are currently out on bail.

High Court judge Joseph Murangira is presiding over the case. 

Jane Kajuga Okuo, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) spokesperson, will prosecute the case while lawyer Geoffrey Nagumya and Alex Tuhimbise will defend the accused.

Appearing before court on Tuesday, the accused took plea and denied the charges read to them by the judge, saying they are innocent.

"Since you have denied the charges, plea of not guilty has been entered against you," Murangira stated. He has fixed November 21 as the date when the hearing of the case will start.

The judge also directed prosecution to disclose witness evidence to the defence in a bid to speed up the trial.

This was after lawyer Nagumya told court that the state had not given them statements of 12 police officers who guarded the scene of crime.

According to prosecution, the accused on September 30, 2012, allegedly tortured Katerega to death after they found him with sh30, 000 that exceeded the allowed amount to be held by any worker.

Kateregga was a bar attendant at Panamera Bar and Lounge, located in the city suburb of Naguru.

According to the Penal Code Act (PCA), any person who is convicted of murder faces a maximum penalty of death.