Housemaid charged with murder and aggravated robbery of her employer

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A 21 year old housemaid stands accused of committing murder and violent robbery.

She is accused of murdering and robbing her employer, Phionah Tumusiime’s properties worth 12.6 million Shillings.

Kahmiati Namaganda and others at large allegedly robbed Tumusiime’s two smartphones, three suitcases containing clothes, hair weaves, perfumes, a laptop bag, and 35,800 in cash. The total value of everything stolen was worth shillings 12,640,800.

The state adds that “immediately before or immediately after the time of the said robbery, Namaganda was in possession of a deadly weapon, (a knife).” As a result, she is accused of aggravated robbery because she allegedly contravened sections 285 of the Penal Code Act. She is also charged with the murder of Tumusiime.

Namaganda appeared on Friday before Justice Wilson J. Kwesiga.

Kwesiga is presiding over the ongoing High Court criminal session at Entebbe Chief Magistrates Court.

She told court that she stole the items. However, she denied the murder charges. The offences allegedly took place at Tumusiime’s home in Jomayi Estate, Bwerenga village (Katabi town council) in Wakiso district.

The state says that Namaganda and others at large attacked and unlawfully caused Tumusiime’s death. They attacked her at home on 22nd May, 2020. They thereafter robbed her of the said items and fled.

Justice Kwesiga however says he has noted that Namaganda has denied the charges since she has denied the count of murder.

He adjourned the case to May 6, for prosecution to present its case against Namaganda. State Attorney Miriam Njuki is representing the state while Ben Peter Wanda is Namaganda’s lawyer.

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