In a court session held on October 19, 2023, the High Court in Kampala delivered its verdict in the case of the 2019 murder of social worker Maria Nagirinya and her driver, Ronald Kitayimbwa. Five men were convicted of the gruesome crime, while their co-accused, Sadat Katerega, was acquitted.
Judge Isaac Muwata presided over the case and declared that the state prosecutor had successfully established the guilt of the accused individuals beyond a reasonable doubt. The convicted men were identified as Copriam Kasolo, Johnson Lubega, also known as Etoo, Manomano, and Rasta, Nasif Kalyango, also known as Muwonge, Hassan Kiseka, also known as Masadda, and Sharif Mpanga, also known as Shafiq. They were found guilty of the abduction and murder of Maria Nagirinya and Ronald Kitayimbwa.
During his reading of the verdict, Judge Muwata emphasized that none of the suspects had distanced themselves from the incident. Instead, they all went into hiding following the crime and were eventually apprehended. Their direct communication, as confirmed by call data, suggested their collective responsibility for the heinous act.
Justice Muwata also noted that the state’s evidence did not incriminate Sadat Katerega. While it was possible that Katerega might have been involved in the crime, no substantial evidence was presented in court to implicate him.
The judge primarily relied on the testimony of Isaac Senabulya, who had previously been convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty. Justice Muwata asserted that Senabulya’s evidence could not be disregarded, as he had been present at the scenes of both the kidnapping and murder.
This verdict marks a significant development in the case that had garnered widespread attention and shockwaves throughout the country in August 2019, when the double murder occurred. While five of the accused face conviction, Sadat Katerega has been declared innocent of the charges against him.
