Preliminary hearing of toddler killer suspects begins

BUKOBA: THE preliminary hearing of Case No 17740/2024, in which nine suspects are charged with the murder of a child with albinism, Asiimwe Novarth, aged two and a half years, began on Monday before Bukoba High Court Judge Gabriel Paschal Malata.

In the last mention of the case on October 25, last year, Defence Counsel Projestus Mulokozi raised an objection to the preliminary hearing, arguing that the first accused Fr Elpidius Rwegoshora (49) was incapable of properly following the proceedings.

“The first accused (Rwegoshora) is incapable of properly following the proceedings. We request that he be sent for a medical examination at Isanga Mental Health Institution,” Mulokozi requested.

The prosecution raised no objection and the court granted the request. When the case resumed on Monday, the prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney Ajuaye Bilishanga, assisted by State Attorneys Agnes Awino and Matilda Assey, informed the court that a medical report from Isanga Mental Health Institution had been received.

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“Your Honour, a psychiatric report signed by Dr Enock Changarawe confirms that the first accused (Rwegoshora) is of sound mind and capable of properly following the proceedings. We request to tender the document as evidence,” Ms Ajuaye said.

At this point, Defence Counsel Mathias Rweyemamu raised an objection, arguing that the document should not be tendered at this stage but later during the trial.

However, Judge Malata overruled the objection and allowed the document to be submitted, stating that the document was crucial to moving the case forward. The other accused persons are Novarth Venant (24), a boda boda rider and father of the deceased child, Nurdin Ahmada (25), Ramadhan Selestine (23), both residents of Kamachumu village, Rwenyagira Alphonce (30), Dastan Burchard (47), both residents of Bushagara Village, Faswiu Athuman (39), a witchdoctor from Nyakahama village, Gosbert Archard (35), Desidery Everygist (53), both residents of Nyakahama village in Muleba District.

Ms Ajuaye told the court that on May 30th, last year, the nine accused persons jointly murdered the child with albinism, Asiimwe Novarth, who was two and a half years old. When the charge was read, all nine accused persons pleaded not guilty. Judge Malata tasked the Deputy Registrar with ensuring that the second accused (Venant), third accused (Ahmada), fourth accused (Selestine), fifth accused (Alphonce), sixth accused (Burchard), seventh accused (Athuman), eighth accused (Archard) and ninth accused (Everygist) each have a defence counsel.

The first accused (Rwegoshora) is being represented by three counsels: Projestus Mulokozi, Mathias Rweyemamu and Pontian Mujuni.

Judge Malata adjourned the murder case (No 17740/2024) until another date to be set by the Deputy Registrar and ordered the nine suspects to be remanded.