Kasese High Court Acquits Six Accused in Separate Murder Trials

KASESE, June 19, 2026 - The High Court in Kasese has acquitted six individuals facing murder charges in two separate criminal cases, ruling that prosecutors failed to present sufficient evidence to secure convictions.

In the first case, five men charged with murder and aggravated robbery over the killing of Gerald Bwambale, the LCII chairperson of Kyogha Parish, were found not guilty after the court concluded that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The acquitted men - Allan Bwambale, Timona Muhindo, Obed Muhindo, Noel Masereka, and Joackim Bwambale - had been arrested following the fatal shooting of Bwambale on the night of June 3, 2025. Prosecutors alleged that the local leader was shot while asleep at his home in Bwera Sub-county, Kasese District.

In its judgment, the court found that the prosecution's case relied primarily on circumstantial evidence and failed to directly connect any of the accused to the killing. The court also identified significant weaknesses in the handling of key exhibits, including an alleged firearm, spent cartridges, and projectiles recovered during the investigation.

The court determined that the inconsistencies surrounding the evidence created reasonable doubt, preventing a lawful conviction and resulting in the acquittal of all five defendants.

In a separate judgment delivered the same day, the court also acquitted Brighton Akandwanaho, 20, who had been charged with the murder of Eliphaz Kambale.

Akandwanaho was accused of fatally stabbing Kambale during an altercation at Vegas Bar and Lodge in Majengo Trading Centre on the night of December 24, 2024.

After reviewing the evidence, the court found that testimony presented by key prosecution witnesses contained material contradictions and failed to establish the accused's guilt beyond reasonable doubt.