Kampala, Uganda | URN | The key suspect in the murder of child rights activist Kenneth Akena mistook Akena to be a gunman trailing his girlfriend Cynthia Munwangari according to a state witness.
Mathew Kanyamunyu is jointly charged alongside his Burundian girlfriend Munwangari and his elder brother, Joseph Kanyamunyu for the murder of Akena. Prosecution alleges that on November 12, 2016, along the Kampala-Jinja highway near Malik car bond, opposite the main gate of Uganda Manufacturer’s Association in Lugogo, Nakawa Division, the accused shot dead Akena. Kanyamunyu maintains that he was only a Good Samaritan who helped to drive Akena to hospital for medical attention.
Today Thursday, a detective, Patrick Aalunyu who was investigating the case, told court that he was approached by detective seargent Chris Otim attached to Kira Road police station informing him about hearing gunshots along the Lugogo-Jinja highway.
Aalunyu says he went to Jinja Road police station where he found assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Godwin Agaba the Kampala Metropolitan East CID officer and together they headed to Wandegeya police station where they found Kanyamunyu and his girlfriend.
Aalanyu told court that while at the police station, he interacted with Kanyamunyu who claimed that he and Munangwari were reportedly from Kololo and were heading back to Luzira before they were intercepted by a speeding car.
According to Aalanyu, Kanyamunyu told him that before he could get out, he heard a gunshot and one of the people was screaming for help pleading to be taken to hospital as the occupants of the car fled.
Aalanyu also says that he was told by Kanyamunyu that he took Akena to Norvik hospital along Kira road but couldn’t find doctors and decided to go to Nakasero hospital before surrendering themselves to Wandegeya police station.
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However, this contradicts the previous testimonies of Norvik doctors and a security guard at Nakasero hospital who told court that they had treated Akena and that it was the police that took the suspects to Wandegeya police station.
Aalunyu said that Kanyamunyu confided into him that his girlfriend’s life was at risk because she was being trailed by alleged gunmen from Burundi. According to Aalunyu, he obtained search certificates and together with a number of detectives went to the homes of the suspects.
Justice Steven Mubiru adjourned the case to Tuesday next week when Aalunyu will complete his testimony.