A cloud of grief and unanswered questions continues to hover over the home of Zimbabwe’s Honorary Consul in Uganda, Chris Rugari, as his wife, Jolin Kanoheri Mutesi Rugari, remains behind bars in connection with the tragic death of their two-year-old son, Rugari Nganwa.
On Tuesday, Jolin, looking visibly worn and quiet, stood before the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court alongside her 24-year-old housemaid, Robinah Nabanjja. The pair had hoped to hear updates on the progress of the investigation, but the absence of the state attorney brought the session to a standstill. With little choice, Magistrate Frank Namanya extended their remand until June 5.
The young boy’s death, reportedly occurring between April 1 and 2 at the family’s residence in Mutungo, shocked both family friends and the wider public. According to initial reports, Jolin claimed her son had accidentally fallen from an upper floor window a tragedy that could befall any household. But police say the evidence didn’t support that version of events, and charges of murder and accessory after the fact soon followed.
Jolin was first remanded on April 11, and since then, her case has drawn public interest and emotional reactions. Due to the gravity of the charge murder being a capital offense she has not been allowed to plead, as only the High Court has the mandate to handle such trials.
Despite the weight of the accusations, Jolin has maintained her innocence. Her loved ones have continued to rally behind her, adamant that she is being wrongly accused. “She’s a mother who loved her child deeply,” one relative said quietly after the hearing. “We believe the truth will clear her name.”
As the legal process slowly unfolds, the Rugari family remains in the eye of a storm, mourning the loss of a young life while navigating a case that has captivated the nation.
