A 24-year-old woman was remanded for allegedly burning her cousin and boyfriend to death in a suspected love triangle
Two people were killed after a 24-year-old woman set fire to an apartment in Kampala, Uganda. She was charged by the court and sent to prison.
Susan Kaitesi was arraigned in Nabweru Chief Magistrates Court. She was charged with two counts each of murder and arson.
She’s accused of burning to death her 24-year-old cousin, Patricia Arinda, and 27-year-old boyfriend, Ivan Lukonge, in what police described as a love triangle.
The incident occurred on January 12, 2023, at Jinja Karoli Kawempe Zone a Ward in Nabweru Kawempe Division Kampala.
Kaitesi is alleged to have locked the victims in her apartment and set it ablaze.
According to reports, the suspect fled the inferno and told anyone who was near that a gas explosion had taken place.
The neighbors and police rescue team, however, found the bedroom locked. When they broke into the bedchamber, they discovered two corpses. The gas cooker was intact and the bedroom keys missing.
While appearing before the court’s acting chief magistrate Arthur Ziraba, the suspect was not allowed to take a plea since the court has no powers to hear her case.
“Kaitesi Susan on January 12, 2023, at Jinja A Kawempe Nabweru Division Wakiso District, with malice aforethought unlawfully caused the death of Lukonge Ivan and Arinda Patricia, and also set fire to a house, the property of Sanyu Grace George, part of the charge sheet reads.
Senior state Attorney Ms. Sheron Sarah Nambuya who led the prosecution side told the court that police investigations into the case are not yet complete and asked the court for more time.
“I pray that this court adjourns the matter as we conclude the investigations, she said.
Consequently, the magistrate adjourned the court proceedings to March 1, 2023, for mention of the case.
“You have a right to apply for bail as it’s your constitutional right but not in this court. Your application will be heard by the High Court since this lower court has no mandate to hear such capital offenses, the magistrate said.
