Suspect murders witness

Police in Kabale are hunting for a 25-year-old Rogers Nyesiga a resident of Kirigime ward Southern division Kabale district, who attacked and severely injured a businessman Enock Ankunda a key witness in a case in which he had been charged with theft of sh12m.

Kigezi regional Police Spokesperson, Elly Maate, confirmed to the New Vision that, Ankunda who was attacked on Wednesday and severely wounded unfortunately died the same day from Mbarara hospital where he had been referred to.

"Unfortunately Ankunda died last night from Mbarara hospital where he had been referred. Fortunately he had mentioned the suspect who is Nyesiga who is from Kirigime ward Southern division Kabale district but hails from Kambuga in Kanungu district," Maate said.

He noted that the suspect Nyesiga had just been released from prison on a court bond after clocking mandatory days on June 22 on a charge of theft of sh12m case where the deceased Ankunda was a key witness. "He decided to attack and possibly kill him on the spot to conceal evidence," Maate said.

Mate noted that the victim was discovered by his colleague one Benon whom they work together. "Benon went to their work place where they operate a shop together and the victim was not there so he decided to go upstairs where the victim stays alone and was shocked to find the door open and the victim lying in a pool of blood with multiple deep cuts," Maate added

He noted Benon rushed to police and reported and police responded and took the victim to Kabale referral hospital in critical condition but he was later referred to Mbarara where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.

He however noted that police had recovered Nyesiga known jacket and a trouser he was putting on with blood stains from a neighbouring unfinished house in Katuna as exhibits.

The body of the deceased has been taken to Rakai his home district for burial.

Maate appealed to anyone with information about Nyesiga's whereabouts to volunteer information to police so that he is apprehended and charged. Inquiries underway and a file SD 06/05/08/2020 had been opened.

Jacquelyn Okui, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Spokesperson described the incident as unfortunate.

Nyesiga's death comes at appoint in time when Uganda as a country does not have a legislation providing for the protection of witnesses. In June 2019 the ODPP formulated guidelines to assist Prosecutors determine the witness protection parameters and the scope of protection during investigations, trial and after trial.

Some of the measures put up by the ODPP in implementing its mandate included, the creation of a fully-fledged department of witness protection and victim empowerment, which also among others, receives and addresses complaints or concerns that are raised by the public regarding criminal proceedings.