Key witness in cardiologist murder case shot dead

KAMPALA - A key witness in the case against Australian cardiologist Aggrey Kiyingi, accused of murdering his wife, has been shot dead in the Ugandan capital Kampala.

The body of Police Lieutenant Caesar Enya had been discovered in the suburb of Kampala city with three pistol shots to his head.

Uganda Police regional commander Benon Oyo said Enya was in charge of special investigations branch who had earlier investigated allegations that Kiyingi had paid money to two government soldiers to kill his wife, prominent lawyer Robinah Kiyingi, in 2003.

"The two soldiers, after receiving the money, went and reported to their bosses without carrying out the mission they were paid for," Oyo said.

"Lt Enya recorded statements from the soldiers and later took them and Mrs Robinah Kiyingi to Police to make statements." he said.

Robinah Kiyingi was shot dead on July 11 this year at the gate to her home.

Preliminary investigation led to the arrest of Kiyingi and three other people suspected to have carried out the murder.

He was charged on July 19 with murder and was remanded in Luzira maximum prison.

He will appear in court on August 15 for mention.

Meanwhile, Kiyingi has sued the Red Pepper newspaper, seeking damages over publishing defamatory statements against him.

Kiyingi, through his lawyer Andrew Munanura, filed a suit today in Uganda High Court on grounds that the Red Pepper had published defamatory stories.

"We want the editors of the Red Pepper to pay damages and costs of the suit," Munanura said.

Last week Uganda's high court banned the media from publishing stories about Kiyingi's case other than events in court.

The Red Pepper has been told to file its defence within 15 days.

- AAP