Lydia Atim Draru, the woman accused of murdering General James Kazini, the former army commander has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Draru pleaded guilty to manslaughter this morning before Justice Monica Mugyenyi. She told court that she killed Kazini in self defense after the general attacked her.
However, state prosecution led by Fred Kakooza objected to Draru’s plea saying that they had instructions to charge her with murder. Kakooza asked Justice Mugenyi to ignore Draru’s plea to man slaughter saying they were ready to proceed with her trial for murder.
But justice Mugenyi said court is under obligation to allow Draru’s plea. She said it is up to the state to prove the murder allegations against the accused. Draru was arrested in November 2009 following the brutal murder of Kazini at her home in Project Zone in Wabigalo, Makindye Division in Kampala. Kazini was hit dead by an iron bar.
Shortly after her arrest she confessed killing General Kazini after a domestic argument about money but didn’t specify how much was involved. The state has lined up four witnesses today to testify against the accused. Once convicted for man slaughter Draru could spend the rest of her life in jail.
