Nine suspects charged with murder of albino toddler in Tanzania
Police load the remains of Asimwe Novath, a toddler who was killed and his body parts severed by an unknown perpetrator. Photo | Ananias Khalula.
What you need to know:
- Asimwe was abducted on May 30, 2024, from his home in Muleba District. His body parts were tragically discovered discarded on June 17 under a bridge in Malele.
Bukoba. Nine suspects have been arraigned in the Bukoba District Magistrate's Court on charges of premeditated murder in the case of Asimwe Novath, a two-year-old albino child.
Asimwe was abducted on May 30, 2024, from his home in Muleba District. His body parts were tragically discovered and discarded on June 17 under a bridge in Malele.
He was buried by his family the following day.
Two unidentified men abducted her when he was having a light moment with his mother at their home in Mbale, Bulamula village, Kamachumu ward, Muleba District.
However, on June 17, 2024, parts of Asimwe's body were found discarded in a sack under a bridge on the Ruhanga Makongora Road in Malele, Ruhanga Ward. The remains were buried on June 18, 2024, at his family’s home.
The suspects appeared in court today, Friday, June 28, 2024, where the prosecution filed murder case number 17740 of 2024. The charges were read by Kagera Regional Chief Prosecutor, Waziri Magumbo, before the District Magistrate, Eliapokea Wilson.
The first defendant, Elipidius Rwegoshora, was an assistant parish priest at Bugandika Parish, while the second defendant is Asimwe’s biological father, Mr Novath Venant.
The other defendants are Nurdini Masudi, Ramadhani Selestine, Rweyangira Alphonce, Dastan Bruchard, Faswiu Athuman, Gozbert Alikad, and Desdery Everigist, all residents of Muleba District in Kagera Region.
Initially, the Kagera Regional Prosecutor, Waziri Magumbo, said that the court does not have the jurisdiction to hear the case and therefore all the accused are not required to plead until they are brought before the High Court.
After the case was mentioned, Magistrate Wilson adjourned the proceedings until July 12, 2024, when it will be mentioned again. All nine defendants were remanded to Bukoba District Prison.
