Serial killer remanded over security guard murder

A man suspected to be the ringleader of a gang of robbers has been remanded to prison.

Ashraf Wetaka aka Heavy, 38, was arraigned before Makindye Chief Magistrates Court in Kampala and charged with murder of a security guard.

Wetaka appeared before magistrate Ann Sarah Basemera who read him the charge of murder of Jovani Mugisha and aggregated robbery.

The charge

Prosecution led by Isaas Asasira presented the charge sheet alleging that Wetaka and others still at large on March 14, 2024, at Badongo zone in Makindye, Kampala, with malice aforethought unlawfully killed Mugisha Jovan.

It is further alleged that on the same date Wetaka and group robbed Samuel Kiyaga Kijjambu of his Samsung smartphone and wallet containing shillings 100,000 all valued at shillings 3.9m.

The prosecution says before or after the said robbery the gang had a panga and hammer before raiding Samuel Kijjambu.

Wetaka and the gang allegedly raided Kijjambu's home late in the night, beat the security guard and forced their way inside.

Mugisha the guard was left with serious injuries and he died on the way to the hospital.

The magistrate did not allow Wetaka a word for her court has no jurisdiction to try capital offences.

Asasira for the prosecution told the court that investigations are still ongoing and requested for another mention date when the court will get informed of the state of investigations.

Confession

However, Wetaka told the magistrate that he has been involved in many criminal acts including killing people who go to buy land where he connives with brokers to kidnap and kill buyers and then take the money without the intended buyer getting the land.

He told the court that at times, his gang hired guns from security personnel, which they use in their dubious acts against the citizens.

In a video that viral on social media after his arrest, Wetaka was seen narrating how he worked with the late Sobi in Kampala.

The magistrates told him that all that and everything he wished to say, he would tell it to the High Court.

She remanded him to January 28, 2025, for mention of the case.