Husband jailed 17 years for killing IHK nurse 

A week after he confessed to killing his wife, a nurse attached to the International Hospital Kampala (IHK), Simon Shimanya, 46, has been sentenced to 17 years in jail.

Chief Magistrate Patricia Amoko of Nabweru Court in Kampala handed over the sentence to Shimanya on grounds that he was responsible for the severe head injury that caused the death of Violet Kakai.

She said this is a case of domestic violence that is rampant in the society.

Amoko said the convict who accused his wife of engaging in extramarital affairs has a right of appeal against his sentence within 14 days.

Last week, Shimanya pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges before he was remanded to Sentema Prison. The ruling was delivered through video conferencing.

MITIGATION

Shimanya had pleaded for mercy. "Your worship, I have pleaded guilty because it was not my intention to kill my wife.

I pray court gives me a lenient sentence so that I can go back home and look after my children," he asked. However, State Prosecutor Timothy Amert had requested for a 25-year jail term for the convict, saying although he has no past criminal record, domestic murders are rampant.

"In order to safeguard the children from the terror of seeing a man who killed their mother, it is justifi able that a custodial sentence be meted to him," he requested. 

WHAT HAPPENED?

Court documents indicate that on August 1, this year at about 9:45pm, Kakai went back home and got her husband with the children aged 12, 10 and three years. However, when Shimanya heard the sound of the vehicle that brought his wife, he moved out and, later, went back to the house and picked an axe.

He hit Kakai on the head about two or three times, leaving her motionless.

According to prosecution, this happened in the presence of their children. On arrival at the hospital, Kakai was pronounced dead. Amert also informed court that the accused recorded an extra-judicial statement before Grade One Magistrate, Gladys Kamasanyu, admitting the offence.

Shimanya, a teacher, revealed to the detectives that on the fateful day, Kakai came back home with her boyfriend Robert Sebuufu, whom she had, for a long time, been in a love affair with. Sebuufu was not produced in court. Shimanya said he hit Kakai with an axe while trying to attack Sebuufu, a driver at Katalemwa Chensire home in Mpererwe.

Shimanya accused Sebuufu of plotting to sell off his house. Sebuufu told detectives that for a long time the couple had disagreements over extra-marital affairs, which caused Kakai's death. He told detectives that they have been long time friends with Kakai but their relationship was casual.