Uganda: Police Suspects Kazini Murder Plot
Herbert Ssempogo
12 November 2009
Kampala — SECURITY suspects that the killing of Maj. Gen. James Kazini could have been the work of trained assassins.
Although Kazini’s girlfriend, Lydia Draru, has confessed to killing the general in self-defence, the security agencies are investigating the likelihood of a deliberate murder plot.
A seasoned detective yesterday said Draru, the key suspect, could have had accomplices who lay in wait when the general returned to her house.
The killers, he said, could have used the woman to lure Kazini back to the home in Namuwongo, a Kampala suburb, before pouncing on him.
According to the Police officer, the assailants had no easy access to him hence the plan to hire someone he knew. Instead of producing Draru in court, as was earlier anticipated, the Police yesterday continued interrogating her. She remained detained at the Rapid Response Unit head office in Kireka.
According to sources, she was subjected to a rigorous interrogation session throughout Wednesday night.
The Police said they would question her until they were satisfied that she was telling the truth.
Following her arrest on Tuesday morning, Draru confessed to having clobbered the general to death during a quarrel.
She also recorded an extra-judicial statement at the Buganda Road Magistrates’ Court. Such a statement is made after a suspect confesses to a capital offence.
Draru told the magistrate that a fight ensued after Kazini accused her of stealing an unspecified amount of money and refusing to accompany him out for a dinner. She said Kazini attempted to strangle her before she grabbed an iron bar that was lying on floor and hit him.
Also held at the Rapid Response Unit is Wabigalo Project zone council chief, Bosco Lule. The Police on Wednesday recovered $300 he allegedly received from Draru. The LC boss, according to his wife, had not recorded a statement by yesterday morning.
After interacting with her husband at Kireka, the wife told The New Vision that he received the money moments before Draru boarded a Police truck.
Lule was among the people who dashed to the scene after the news broke. The house where the killing took place remained closed yesterday. An armed Police officer stood guard at the entrance.
The whereabouts of Draru’s cousin, who reportedly witnessed the scuffle, could not be ascertained.
The Police announced that the girl, a Senior Six student, would be given protection.
Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com
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Subject: Uganda: Police suspects Kazini Murder Plot