The International Police (Interpol) have arrested Mathew Kirabo who absconded from court after being charged with the murder of Desire Mirembe, a former Makerere University medical student.
“The Interpol found him in Nairobi, Kenya,” said a police officer who preferred anonymity to speak freely.
Kirabo will be extradited to Uganda to face murder charges.
Desire Mirembe 19, was reportedly murdered on July 10, 2015 by her boyfriend Kirabo and her body was discovered in Lugazi sugarcane plantations in Buikwe district on July 11, 2015.
Kirabo confessed to the murder and was charged at Jinja High Court, remanded at Nalufenya prison in Jinja.
The case was then moved to Mukono high court on the instructions of the then principal judge Yorokamu Bamwine after the state complained that the crime had been committed in the Mukono jurisdiction.
On October 6, the High Court in Mukono finally started hearing the case after 6 years.
On November 3, 2021, Kirabo absconded from court which caused the state to ask court to order his sureties to pay Shs 50 Million each and the case then proceeded without the suspect.
The arrest is seen as a huge relief for Mirembe’s family which has been crying for justice since 2015.
In 2021, the High Court in Mukono ruled that Kirabo has a case to answer in the murder of Desire Mirembe.
The state adduced evidence from 15 witnesses to support the case against the suspect Kirabo.
However, after listening to all submissions and evidence by the prosecutors, Justice Kaweesa reasoned that they raise serious allegations and therefore Kirabo should come and defend himself over the claims levied against him on February 7, or prepare to make their defence on the case.
Accordingly, the judge noted that there was sufficient evidence that warrants Kirabo to prepare to defend himself and give an explanation over the accusations.
