By Mugisa Isaac Mathias

High Court in Kampala has acquitted Lydia Draru of murder charges and convicted her on manslaughter over the murder of Major. Gen. James Kazini a former UPDF commander.

Justice Monica Mugenyi who sentenced Draru to 14 years imprisonment has ruled that prosecution failed to prove that Draru killed Kazini intentionally.

Kazini was killed in 2009 in Namuwongo a Kampala suburb. The judge pointed out the fact that there was a gun in the deceased car, saying it is possible that Kazini was killed on his way to pick it with intension of killing Draru as she alleged.

She also highlighted the fact that there was violence before the crime pointing out the broken glass on the table that was found in the house.

Justice Mugenyi further notes that Draru confessed for the crime right from the start maintaining that she did not intend to kill Kazini but hit him in self defense after he beat her and threatened to shoot her.

Speaking shortly after her conviction Draru asked for forgiveness to the government of Uganda and the relatives of James Kazini saying she did not intend to kill him.

The prosecution had however pleaded for a bigger sentence saying Draru is danger to men in society.