Trial Commences in Gruesome Murder of Indian Businessman, Kabale High Court Hears Testimonies

Six Suspects in the brutal murder of 24-year-old Indian businessman, Patel Kuntaj appearing before Kabale High Court at Kikungiri Hill in Kabale Municipality. Photo By Obed Kankiriho.

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KABALE – The Kabale High Court has commenced the proceedings for the trial involving a police officer and several suspects who stand accused of the brutal murder of 24-year-old Indian businessman, Patel Kuntaj, in Kisoro District.

Among the individuals facing charges are Corporal Gumizamo Elioda (badge number 72401), Hatel Patel an Indian businessman operating in Kisoro, Nteziyaremye Bernard, Nyabagabo Gad, Charles Nteziyaremye, and Ntibakunze Godfrey, also known as Kafero. These six individuals are collectively charged with Joint Murder and Conspiracy.

Presided over by Resident Judge Hon. Justice Samuel Emokor, the high court session took place at the Kikungiri Hill premises in the Southern Division of Kabale Municipality. Throughout the trial, three witnesses presented their testimonies.

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These witnesses included Umarl Partel Ragenditumar (57), the owner of the hardware store where the tragic incident occurred, Rabecca Tumusabe (26), an office attendant at the MTN service center owned by Umarl Partel and SP Pius Asiimwe, the Officer-in-Charge of Kisoro Central Police Station. These witnesses detailed the sequence of events leading up to the incident and its subsequent registration at Kisoro Central Police Station.

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The witnesses predominantly implicated Corporal Gumizamo Elioda (badge number 72401), an officer stationed in Kisoro Municipality, as the alleged mastermind behind the heinous murder that took place on October 27th, 2022.

Handling the prosecution on behalf of the plaintiff was Senior State Attorney Grace Ntege Nabagala. The defense was represented by a team led by Ngaruye Ruhindi and Spenser Company advocates, including Counsel Nabasa Rodgers, Counsel Urban Namanya, Counsel Chrispus Bikorwomwe, and others.

Justice Emokor, however, adjourned the session to tomorrow to allow the appearance of two additional witnesses before the high court, completing the process of recording their statements.