83 yr old FDC chief remanded over Col. Muzoora Murder

Bushenyi Forum for Democratic Change Chairman Mr William Mukaira appears before Buganda Road Court Grade One Magistrate in Kampala on Wednesday. Photo by Isaac Kasamani

83 year old Bushenyi Forum for Democratic Change Chairman, Mr William Mukaira, has been remanded to Luzira Maximum Prison over the death of renegade Uganda Peoples Defence Forces officer, Col. Edson Muzoora.

Buganda Road Court Grade One Magistrate Mr John Patrick Wekesa remanded Mr Mukaira, the Bushenyi District Chairman until July 20 for mention of his case.

Mr Mukaira who was arrested in June this year appeared in Court moments after he was discharged from Mulago Hospital where he has been undergoing treatment for about three weeks.

He was charged with murder, a capital offence, which attracts a maximum sentence of death upon conviction. Mr Wekesa explained to Mr Mukaira who sat in the dock that he was not supposed to take plea in the case because it is a capital offence only triable by the High Court.

“The accused person (Mukaira) is hereby remanded till July 20 for mention. You are going on remand but you can apply for bail through the High Court,” held Mr Wekesa.

Mr Mukaira, was one of the FDC officials arrested by the Military Intelligence officials from western Uganda. Dr Aggery Byamaka, another FDC officer in Mbarara Municipality was also arrested in connection with the mysterious death of renegade UPDF officer Col. Edison Muzoora.

Col. Muzoora died under unclear circumstances and his body was dumped at his home in Kyabugimbi, Bushenyi District, on May 27.
The deceased (Muzoora) was on the list of wanted people suspected to be behind the shadowy PRA rebel group.

However, on June 27 six people who were charged under similar circumstances were charged with treason after two weeks in custody.
They included former soldier Didas Atunga-Bantu alias Col. Bendera Iddi Kibwama; Boniface Mumbere Kinyambila alias Ivan Musinguzi, a development analyst in Kasese; Abel Kacwano Kazoora, a retired solider in Bushenyi; and Aggrey Byamaka alias Happiness Akasigazi, a pharmacist in Mbarara.

Others are Simon Matte Mwesige, a builder in Hima Town Council in Kasese and Esau Muhwezi alias Tugumisirize Rwafafa, a businessman in Kasese.
Prosecution alleges that Mr Mukaira, 83, the Director of Valley College in Bushenyi District and others still at large on May 25 this year with malice aforethought caused the death of Col. Muzoora.

Principal Senior State Attorney, Ms Jane Okuo Kajuga told court that inquiries into the matter were still ongoing prompting court to adjourn the case for mention.

Mr Mukaira was afterwards driven to Luzira Prison despite the pleas of his lawyers; Yusuf Nsibambi and Nestor Byamugisha that their client was unwell.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1195498/-/bymrbmz/-/index.html