Kanyamunyu trial to resume – Judiciary

Principal Judge Flavian Zeija has revealed that the murder trial of businessman Matthew Kanyamunyu will resume before end of year.
The administrative head of the High Court said they are waiting for funds to resume the trial that has been in limbo for over eight months.
“We received the communication from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and we have since replied and told her that we are waiting for next quarter’s funds to have this trial resume,” Justice Zeija said at the weekend.
About a fortnight ago, the DPP, Justice Jane Frances Abodo, wrote to the Principal Judge asking him to make arrangements for Kanyamunyu’s murder trial to resume.
“I refer to the above subject matter where the two accused persons were indicted with murder in 2016. The case was later cause listed for trial which kicked off in February 2020 before Justice Stephen Mubiru and it abruptly ended in March 2020 due to lack of sufficient funds to conclude the session,” Justice Abodo wrote to the Principal Judge on September 7.
Mr Kanyamunyu and girlfriend Cynthia Munwangari are charged with murder of Kenneth Akena, a child rights activist, on November 12, 2016, near Malik Car Bond in Lugogo, Kampala on Jinja Road after the deceased allegedly knocked their car.
The Principal Judge said the Judiciary accepts alternative dispute resolution by conflicting parties and said if Kanyamunyu formally informs court about the recent Acholi Mato-oput reconciliation process that he is pursuing, they will give it consideration.
“We recently read about Kanyamunyu undergoing a reconciliation process and if he comes to us and engages in plea bargaining, as the Judiciary, we promote it,” Justice Zeija said.
Recently, social media was awash with pictures and videos of Kanyamunyu, humbly appearing before the paramount chief of Acholi, Rwot David Onen II, allegedly pleading for forgiveness from elders for having accidentally caused the death of Akena when his gun released a bullet that later ended his life following a heated exchange at Lugogo.
According to sources that are privy to the mato-oput negotiations, the Acholi leaders got satisfied that Kanyamunyu’s confession was genuine, they fined him 10 cows and five goats to atone for the loss of their son.
The prime minister of Acholi Cultural Institution, Mr Ambrose Oola, said there was still some traditional rituals ongoing in regards to the reconciliation process between the two families.