Supreme Court acquits woman jailed for husband’s murder

What the report says

The Supreme Court in Kampala has overturned the murder conviction and 20-year sentence of Jackline Nakku, who had been serving time for the killing of her husband, Ssenyonjo Eric Kiddu. The ruling, reported by The Independent Uganda, set aside the Court of Appeal’s decision after the bench found that the lower court had not properly re-examined the circumstantial evidence used to convict her.

The case arose from a February 13, 2018 attack at the couple’s home, where Kiddu was killed after returning from watching football. Nakku was later charged in the High Court and sentenced in 2019. The Supreme Court said the prosecution’s evidence did not meet the standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt and that the courts below had relied too heavily on one inference, rather than weighing other possible explanations for how the assailants entered the house.

The panel also said some prosecution witnesses appeared biased, while a key housemaid who was present was not called to testify. It further criticized the earlier courts for giving decisive weight to uncorroborated evidence and for treating the lack of forced entry as proof of Nakku’s involvement.

Beyond the conviction itself, the judges said the custodial sentence was harsh in light of Nakku’s role as a caregiver, and they faulted delays in the appeals process. The decision matters because it underscores the need for careful review of circumstantial evidence, witness credibility, and sentencing where children may be affected.