The Grade II Magistrate in Mukono, Stephen Waidhuba, has referred five individuals suspected of murdering four-year-old Hope Biyinzika to the High Court.
The accused include Allan Ssenkuba, Shafik Malik, Fred Kayemba, Fatuma Nansubuga, and Sharif Katongole.
The magistrate noted that the suspects have already served the required six months in remand.
He emphasized that only the High Court has the authority to adjudicate capital offenses such as murder.
Furthermore, he indicated that the evidence presented by the prosecution suggests that the suspects have a case to answer, warranting their transfer to the High Court to face murder charges.
This decision offers a glimmer of hope for justice to the family of the deceased.
It is reported that on September 23, 2023, the father of the victim, Vincent Kikonge, received a phone call from the kidnappers demanding a ransom of 1.2 million shillings for his daughter’s safe return.
Despite sending the money as instructed, they later discovered Biyinzika’s body in a neighbor’s pit latrine.
The remains were taken to Mulago for a postmortem, where it was determined that she had died from a severe head injury.
Prior to her abduction, on August 23, 2023, Biyinzika was allegedly taken from her home shortly after returning from school, leading her parents from Namaliiri village in Kasawo sub-county to report her disappearance and initiate a police search till her recovery.
