Nebanda's Death: Kalungi makes U-turn, pleads not guilty

By ANTHONY WESAKA

A day after he pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter, Mr Adam Suleiman Kalungi, the suspected boyfriend and the key suspect in causing the death of Butaleja Woman MP Cerinah Nebanda, yesterday made a U-turn and pleaded not guilty to the same.

Mr Kalungi had pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter on his maiden court appearance at Makindye Chief Magistrates Court on Monday evening.

However, the trial magistrate, Ms Ester Nambayo, could not record his plea of guilt since he did not have a lawyer to advise him on the consequences of his plea.

The magistrate then stayed the plea taking process until yesterday morning when he took plea afresh. This was after meeting his privately-hired lawyers; Mr Geoffrey Kandebee, Mr Duncan Ondimu and Mr Renato Kania, who first counselled him before changing his plea.

“It’s not true,” said Mr Kalungi upon the charges of manslaughter being read to him first by the court clerk and then Ms Nambayo.

Upon reading to him the charges, the magistrate asked him whether he understood the charge well or not, and he responded in the affirmative.

Manslaughter is causing death of another unintentionally and it attracts a maximum penalty of life sentence once found guilty.

The charge sheet

According to the charge sheet, Mr Kalungi along with five others; Abid Rashid Butt, Noor Abubakar, Khan Babu Abdul and Ali Omar Almuzahim, who are on remand in Luzira, stand accused of causing the death of MP Nebanda.

Mr Kalungi also pleaded not guilty to the other two charges of being in possession of narcotic drugs and dispensing them.

The offences of alleged abuse of drugs were allegedly committed between September and December last year, contrary to the National Drug Policy and Authority Act.

Shortly after the court session, one of Kalungi’s lawyers, Mr Ondimu, told the Daily Monitor that on interacting with Mr Kalungi, he told them that he was confused on Monday, explaining why he pleaded guilty.

During the court session that lasted about 30 minutes, Mr Kalungi’s lawyers informed the court that they would apply for the client’s bail on another date.

State prosecutor Samali Wakooli informed court that Kalungi’s five other co-accused will also plead to the amended charge sheet next week when they re-appear.

Subsequently, the court adjourned the matter to Tuesday next week. Court further remanded Mr Kalungi to Luzira Prison till then.

Source: Daily Monitor (09/01/2013): http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Nebanda--Kalungi-makes-U-turn--pleads-not-guilty/-/688334/1661018/-/36lldwz/-/index.html