On Tuesday, the Resident Judge of Mukono High Court, Justice David Matovu released on bail two suspects in the famous murder case of Mbeya Islands.
The two suspects Jackson Sebitosi 28, and Bernard Mateke 36, are accused of beating to death a thirty-two-year-old fisherman -Fred Ntambi of Nakitokota camp at Kizaala-Buganda village Katosi Town council in Mukono district.
However, they were granted bail on suspicious grounds that the case would lack witnesses as it has always been in cases reported from islands.
Besides the main witness who is a brother to Ntambi, Florence Namujju decided to change statements earlier recorded by police in favour of suspects.
Both suspects were given a cash bail of Shillings one million. The two joined a team of six other suspects accused of taking part in the same murder case released last year on police bond.
The earlier releases comprise Abudul Ssempiira, the Mbeya LCI Vice Chairperson, Yasin Kasirye, the Mbeya LCI Secretary, Richard Ngoobi, Annet Amuron, Sanyu Digonda, and Abudul Mugisha.
Ntambi’s murder incident took place on March 22, 2023. On the morning of March 22, the father of four set out for his routine fishing activities on Lake Victoria, from the Nakitokota landing site.
He hoped to bring back a good catch to provide for his family but his day took a dark turn when he was ambushed.
Ntambi was subjected to brutal torture, and his lifeless body was discarded in a nearby bush close to the landing site. It was just a few minutes to midnight when locals who heard the scuffle and alarm arrived.
He was discovered helpless and lying in a pool of blood after sustaining multiple life-threatening injuries. He was quickly rushed to St. Bernard Clinic in Katosi in critical condition.
The victim had sustained severe injuries including cuts on different parts of his body, and several nails had been punched into his left foot.
The devastating news of his attack reached his family while they anxiously waited for his return with the fish he had promised them.
His sister, Namujju, rushed to the clinic to attend to him. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, Ntambi’s health worsened, and he passed away the following day.
Following his death, Ntambi’s body was taken to Mulago City Mortuary for further examination. Dr. Male Mutumba conducted the postmortem and determined that Ntambi’s demise was a result of blunt force trauma.
Blunt force trauma refers to physical injuries caused by a powerful impact on the body, often associated with incidents like road accidents, assaults, direct blows, and sports injuries.
Ntambi’s grieving family immediately began their search for justice. Namujju, his sister, claimed that she obtained a deathbed confession from Ntambi before he passed away.
She confessed that the deceased revealed the identities of his attackers though did not know their motive. All the suspects arrested and released were part of the criminal gang.
The shocking revelation prompted Namujju to report the matter to Katosi police station and a case (SD REF. 13/23/03/2023) was opened up for investigation.
To be sure, Namujju adds, she also took the matter to the Mukono police division, hoping the authorities would intervene, investigate, and bring all the named perpetrators to book. Later the file was sanctioned by the regional police.
Surprising U-Turn
After the file reached Jinja Road Police Station, Namujju was later seen on social media claiming to have erroneously implicated the wrong suspects.
However, this website obtained a recording where Namujju threatened to change her statements to the police once the law firm which offered the provision of free legal services did not offer her money to provide for her children after she was abandoned by the husband.
She started asking for money after a team led by a Senior Uganda People’s Defense Forces-UPDF Officer, Major Mark Wanyama through the police case investigating officer, Giibe Nampina sought an audience with Namujju with intentions of deliberately frustrating the case.
It was also established that Major Wanyama came on board to save some of the suspects who were instrumental in helping him grab a piece of land at Mbeya island.
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