Police investigation into the death of Hon Cerinah Nebanda

By Julius Odeke

Following the death of Hon Cerinah Nebanda (RIP) on the 14th December 2012, the Special Investigations Unit of CID was assigned to undertake the investigation into the death.  The case file number is Kabalagala CRB 3618/2012.

The following are the objectives of the investigation: To establish the circumstances and cause of death, in case the cause of death is criminal, to find out the person or persons who carried out the criminal act leading to the death, and to prosecute such person or persons on the basis of evidence gathered.

The Inspector General of Police Lt Gen Kale Kayihura says ss the country already knows, preliminary post mortem examination and forensic analysis reports indicate presence of classified drugs (specifically, cocaine, and heroin) in the body of the Hon Cerinah Nebanda.

He added that, “In addition, we have, since established that her boyfriend, Adam Kalungi Suleiman alias Luli, (who, on the fateful evening, together with others, took the late Hon Cerinah Nebanda from his apartment in Buziga to Nsambya General Clinic), is, in fact, a member of a narcotic drug syndicate operating in a number of countries including Uganda, Pakistan, and South Sudan.”

The police boss adds that, “In fact, in the course of the investigations, we got a tip off on the identities, and residences of members of this drug syndicate, who have been operating in Uganda for many years, and in which Adam Suleiman Kalungi was a prominent actor.

We mounted an operation, and over one week, we netted some of the members of this syndicate, and recovered suspected classified drugs in their residences.  Others, including Adam Suleiman Kalungi, fled into hiding.  The arrested persons are residents of Munyonyo, Bunga, and Muyenga.”

Lt Gen Kayihura said that on Monday, 31st December, 2012, the following persons, who are closely linked to Adam Suleiman Kalungi, appeared before the Grade 1 Magistrate’s court in Makindye:

•             Abid Rashied Butt alias Iqbal a Ugandan of Pakistan origin

•             Fatima Babu, a Ugandan

•             Khan Babu, a Ugandan

•             Noor Abubaker, a Ugandan

•             Ali Omar AlMuzahim, a Ugandan

Noteworthy, from the evidence we have, Abid Rashid Butt, the Ugandan of Pakistan origin, is husband to Fatima Babu.  Khan Babu is a brother to Fatuma Babu, and their driver, as well as their agent in the drug business. The three persons, together with Noor Abubaker, are very close associates of Adam Suleiman Karungi, who, like Khan, was, also, an agent in the drug business.

They were charged in the Makindye court with Unlawful Possession of Narcotic drugs Contrary to sections 47 and 60(i); and Supplying Classified Drugs contrary to section 13(60) of the National Drug