In the murder trial of six individuals accused of killing social worker Maria Nagirinya and her driver Ronald Kitayimbwa, court assessors are expected to provide their layman’s opinion on Tuesday. The assessors, Sharp Mutoni and Simon Okongo, have been assisting trial judge Isaac Muwata in determining whether to convict or acquit the accused based on the evidence presented in court.
The prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya and Timothy Amerit, called a total of 21 witnesses to make their case for the conviction of the accused. Among the witnesses was Frank Nyakairu, an operative from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, who identified the accused as members of the notorious criminal gang B-13 operating in Nateete, Rubaga division.
The accused in the case are Coporiyamu Kasolo alias Arsenal, Johnson Lubega alias Etoo alias Manomano, Hassan Kisekka alias Masadda, Nasif Kalyango alias Muwonge, Sharif Mpanga alias Shafiq, and Sadat Kateregga alias Baros. Another accused, Isaac Ssenabulya, pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 40 years in prison earlier in the trial.
While the assessors’ opinion is not binding on the judge, it is a customary practice in criminal cases before the High Court’s criminal division for assessors to provide their opinion on conviction or acquittal. However, the judge must consider both the evidence and the law when making the final verdict.
Maria Nagirinya and Ronald Kitayimbwa were brutally murdered on August 28, 2019. The prosecution alleges that the accused, along with others still at large, kidnapped Nagirinya and Kitayimbwa with the intent to murder and eventually killed them. They are also accused of aggravated robbery, including robbing Kitayimbwa of his mobile phone and cash, as well as Nagirinya’s vehicle, which was later found abandoned in Nateete.
The indictment states that Coporiyamu Kasolo was the leader of the group and played a key role in organizing the crime and distributing the proceeds afterward. The judge will consider the assessors’ opinion before rendering a final judgment in the case.
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