The defense in the long-running arson and murder case involving the 2018 fire at St Bernard’s Secondary School, Mannya in Rakai District has asked court to acquit the accused, arguing that the prosecution’s evidence is inconsistent and the real perpetrators remain unknown.
The case is being heard before the High Court resident judge of Masaka, Justice Victoria Nakintu Katamba Justice Victoria Nakintu Katamba.
The accused, Henry Taremwa Henry Taremwa, Alex Mugarura Alex Mugarura, and Dickson Kisuule Dickson Kisuule, are jointly charged in connection with the deadly fire that broke out on November 10, 2018 at St Bernard’s SS Mannya in Rakai District.
The incident claimed the lives of 10 students—nine who died on the spot and one who succumbed while being rushed to hospital. A total of 15 students were critically injured, while 25 others sustained minor injuries.
During the hearing, former head teacher Henry Nsubuga Henry Nsubuga told court that the identity of the person who started the fire remains unknown. He testified that the attacker appeared to have deliberately locked dormitory doors using two padlocks, making escape and rescue efforts extremely difficult.
Nsubuga further informed court that 11 students had earlier been suspended for indiscipline, adding that at the time of the incident, one of the accused, Kisuule, was reportedly at Mannya Police Post facing allegations of criminal trespass.
Defense lawyer Sam Sekyewa Sam Sekyewa urged court to dismiss the charges, arguing that the prosecution had failed to link the accused to the crime beyond reasonable doubt. He also noted that the suspects have been in detention for about eight years without resolution, calling for what he described as justice for the accused.
Sekyewa presented a video recording and a news article allegedly containing statements implicating other individuals. In the footage, some persons are said to have confessed to being hired to carry out the arson for 12 million shillings, with a 6 million shillings deposit paid in advance.
The video also reportedly features Shafik Muganga Shafik Muganga, who alleges that unnamed wealthy businessmen, some Rakai-based head teachers, and a former bursar of Mannya SS were involved in planning the attack.
On the prosecution side, State Attorney Deborah Itwau Deborah Itwau maintains that the three accused, together with others still at large, murdered student Remegious Tamale Remegious Tamale and nine others during the fire. The suspects face 50 counts, including arson and murder.
Justice Nakintu Katamba directed that the hearing will continue until Friday this week, with the prosecution expected to present all remaining witnesses before the court proceeds further.
ENDS
