The High Court in Kasese has acquitted five men who had been charged with murder and aggravated robbery in connection with the killing of Kyogha Parish LCII Chairperson Gerald Bwambale.
The accused — Allan Bwambale, Timona Muhindo, Obed Muhindo, Noel Masereka, and Joackim Bwambale — were arrested following the fatal shooting of Bwambale on the night of June 3, 2025.
Prosecution alleged that the deceased was shot while sleeping in his home in Bwera Sub-county, Kasese District.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, Justice Lawrence Tweyanze dismissed all charges against the accused after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Tweyanze observed that the evidence presented by the prosecution was largely circumstantial and did not directly link any of the accused persons to the murder.
The judge also identified gaps in the chain of custody of key exhibits, including an alleged firearm, bullet cartridges, and projectiles reportedly recovered from the crime scene.
According to the court, the inconsistencies created reasonable doubt, making it impossible to sustain a conviction.
“The evidence adduced by the prosecution was purely circumstantial and did not directly connect the accused persons to the commission of the offence. The gaps in the chain of custody of exhibits raised serious doubts which must be resolved in favour of the accused,” Justice Tweyanze ruled.
Following the judgment, relatives of the accused welcomed the decision.
Francis Nyangweso, a resident of Kanyughunya Village in Kajwenge Parish, Kisinga Sub-county, and father of Allan Bwambale, expressed relief over the outcome.
“We have been waiting for this day for a long time. My son was innocent and today the court has confirmed that there was no evidence linking him to the crime. We thank God that the truth has finally come out and justice has prevailed,” he said.
In a separate ruling, the same court acquitted 20-year-old Brighton Akandwanaho, who had been facing murder charges over the death of Eliphaz Kambale.
Prosecution alleged that on the night of December 24, 2024, Akandwanaho stabbed Kambale during a fight at Vegas Bar and Lodge in Majengo Trading Centre, Kyondo Cell, Kasese District.
However, Justice Tweyanze ruled that testimony presented by key prosecution witnesses was contradictory and failed to meet the legal standard required in criminal proceedings.
The court held that inconsistencies in witness statements created doubt about the accused's involvement in the killing, leading to his acquittal.
The ruling reaffirmed the principle that criminal charges must be proved beyond reasonable doubt and that any uncertainty in the prosecution's case must be resolved in favour of the accused.
With the acquittals, all six accused persons regained their freedom after spending months in detention awaiting the conclusion of their trials.