Gen Kazini's killer confesses to murder Print E-mail
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Written by Edris Kiggundu   
Tuesday, 10 November 2009 06:34

Lydia Draru, the lady in whose shanty house the former army commander, Maj Gen James Kazini, died told police today that she was behind the murder.

Draru made a statement at the Central Police Station in which she said she had domestic problems which Kazini as husband had not solved. This confession is likely to make the work of investigators easy, who will now concentrate on the motive of the murder. Draru was due to appear at Buganda Road Magistrates Court today afternoon.
Kazini was hit by an iron bar at 5AM today morning after a misunderstanding. Neighbours told The Observer that noises were first heard emanating from the house and after that, Kazini was heard calling for help. After carrying out the horrendous act, a confused Draru reportedly ran out of the house, shouting: “I have killed him, I have killed him.”

Kazini’s grief stricken wife Phoebe, visited the scene of the murder in a company of a relative. Witnesses said she exclaimed at the horrible conditions in which her husband died. Police took blood samples from the scene.  Kazini’s body is still at Mulago and later in the evening it will be taken to his home in Munyonyo for the night vigil.

RISE AND FALL

Kazini became Army commander in 2001 and was dropped in 2003.
 In December 2003, Museveni committed him and a dozen senior officers to the General Court Martial on various charges, especially creation and maintenance of “ghost” soldiers on the army payroll.
Others included Brig. Nakibus Lakara (former chief of staff), Brig. Henry Tumukunde (former director general of ISO), and Brig. Andrew Guti who was later pardoned and even promoted.
On March 27, 2008, when the General Court Martial under Lt. Gen. Ivan Koreta sentenced him to three years in jail for causing financial loss of Shs60 million, Kazini wept. Kazini and others, still on trial, allegedly maintained 24,000 fictitious names on the army payroll which resulted in loss of Shs 600 billion in 13 years.

He later challenged the sentence in the Constitutional Court, arguing that the Court Martial had no jurisdiction to hear the case but he recently lost the appeal.
He had lodged an appeal in the Supreme Court and the case was due for hearing.
Kazini was always perceived to be a blind loyalist of the commander-in-chief since joining the NRA around 1984 after he defected from Lt. Gen. Moses Ali’s West Nile based rebel group.

Kazini later became the escort commander of Gen. Salim Saleh. Saleh helped Kazini rise through military ranks and to win favours from the commander-in-chief.

Kazini conflicted with virtually every senior commander in the Army but the President kept faith in him. He was so loved that even after allegedly causing the death of over 700 soldiers in the first clash with Rwanda in Kisangani; he didn’t face the firing squad as stipulated in UPDF Act. Instead, Museveni ran away from the UPDF High Command meeting at Bombo and left it to Amama Mbabazi who announced that Gen. Elly Tumwine would lead a probe that never produced a report.
 
Kazini knew that the winning card was to praise the President whenever an opportunity presented itself.
During one of such moment, he said during a meeting of the Army Council in Bombo that he sympathised with the President because he was left do all the work alone while officers were eating eggs and doing business. Museveni smiled.

ABOUT KAZINI

•    Defected from Maj. Gen. Moses Ali’s Uganda National Rescue Front in 1984 to join NRA
•    Appointed commander of Gen. Salim Saleh’s escorts
•    1987 becomes commissioned officer at the rank of Captain.
•    1989 promoted to Major and appointed Commander of Military Police
•    1991 promoted  to Lt. Col. and appointed Commander of  Masaka Mechanized Regiment to replace Col. Kizza Besigye
•    1995 sent to West Nile to fight the Gen Ali Bamuze’s West Nile Rescue Front 11.
•    1996, promoted to Colonel and given additional responsibilities in Gulu based Division 4. This appointment caused a rift between the then commander of  Division 4, Brig Chefe Ali (RIP) and Kazini. Ultimately Chefe was made Chief of Staff and transferred to Bombo Army Headquarters and Kazini became full Division 4 Commander
•    In March, 1998, Kazini is deployed in Kasese the fight the ADF rebels.
•    1999 was promoted Brigadier, appointed Chief of Staff  and commander of Safe Haven  Operation in DR Congo.
•    In 2000, after two clashes between the armies of Rwanda and Uganda in Kisangani (1999 and 2000), he was recalled from DR Congo.

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Comments (90)add comment
 1 2
I SMELL SOMETHING FISHY
written by Michael Musherure , November 10, 2009

When Robinah Kiyingi died and the husband was quickly arrested for murder, I told my workmates that something was being covered up. Indeed the mystery of her death has not been resolved just like that of Noble Mayombo, Ayume, and many others!! My hunch tells me that Dralu is just a pawn in a dangerous game of chase!!But when the hunters become the hunted, it means the hunting game is no more. I don't want to laugh at misfortunes' back side, but in the words of Arthur Koestler, "Bravo, the wolves Devour each other"!! I am saddedened by the death of Kazini, but how long must distinguished Ugandans perish bogusly before we hold our government accountable? Sons of that region especially, need to be accounted for... Jet Mwebaze, Noble Mayombo, Prof Mujaju, now Kazini... We need answers. Sure time will come when these deaths will be unearthed!! Wosre than the Amin regime... Those who have ears, let them listen


Dralu mulalu - mad or not?
written by Christopher Muwanga , November 10, 2009

In the western World, one can murderer someone and turn around and feign madness. He is likely not to be tried only for that claim. Psychologists will be called in bra...bra..bra..
Dralu is a west Nile name [Madi in fact] and no wonder since Kazini, from Amini's Army joined and was part of the 'post-Amin West Nile rebels.
Come close to Kampala though. May the killer woman now turn around and say, “I was mad with betrayal in love”. “Nabade Mulalu” – Luganda for “I was mad” – to escape the hangman’s noose. In other words, is DRALU indeed a MULALU? No doubt indeed that she was. Otherwise how can a normal being create widows and orphans of other parents if she were not MAD? – Dralu Omulalu ddala!!



Dr. Kayiira, Mayombo, Kifefe, Bukenya, .............
written by Byamukama , November 10, 2009

What a nation uganda under NRM yoweri kaguta has turned into!! Afer Anyeko, Ayiisa name them it will e hard to believe that Asiimwe woman claiming to have killed Kazini! we are reading of faul play von Bukenyas son death, in the saga Betty Nambooze illness, in the Bidandi sali accedent. Uganda needs a libarator from the regime which has lost the trust of the citizens: waiting for another Sept. 10-12? God save our nation, Condolences to the families of all the fallen citizens


lydia how cud you do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
written by becky nsubuga kwagala , November 10, 2009

i hav known this gal for a long time and watever the motive was nobody knows! Rest in peace kazini and may God judge you with mercy. lydia should rot in jail


Adieu JK
written by Bangirana George Williams , November 10, 2009

Going, Going and Gone.
We are all human and we we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Let People learn that we should not be so dogmatic. To the Nation, we have lost one of us. To the Army rank & file.. May be an model to emulate- I aint sure of the Top Brass- His Family, May the Almighty strengthen You and console You.
To the still living... Mind Your legacy.


unbelievable but real
written by Alinda Moses , November 10, 2009

Departed, but yo image will never fade out of ugandans.Almighty,it was ablessin from u.Who is dat to object yo decision.May u rest his soul in eternal life.


DR CONGO REPORTS
written by drum , November 10, 2009


Yes it hurts that he has left behind a family, but this is a man like Mayombo who were involved in the plundering of resources in DR Congo as envidenced by UN reports.

And again in this mafia style ruled country no one is safe.


Police, please do your job!
written by Immaculate Nambi , November 10, 2009

Police, investigate this murder! A confession is not necessarily the truth! But from the way, the public was allowed to contaminate the scene of crime, the changes I'm very pessimistic that about any subsequent investigations.


RIP Distinguished Service Man
written by Arnold , November 10, 2009

As the General is put to rest..I am suprised that some ugandans still talk politics even in the midst of such tragedy. Gen Kazinis life should be honoured. Regardless of any political affliations. May God bles his soul. Brig Mayombo and Cadet Brians as well as Besigye Kifefe's lives too are honoured. They are indeed true heroes.


Another Fallen Soldier!!!
written by Kharim , November 10, 2009

Whatever the case was I believe that Gen. Kazini didn't deserve such a kind of rest!! Maybe we need to examine the cause of his death from a political discourse. It will be another blow in case this is a new trend of losing men that once held the NRA rebels back!! RIP


kizito
written by kizito , November 10, 2009

Died doing what he loved to do others died pleading for their lives. The man had his zip down and the lady fought back.


Hogwash
written by Judas Iscariot , November 10, 2009

This woman did not kill Kazini. Which prostitute/malaya or concubine has the audacity to butcher an army General to death and admit it in public -- unless of course she has some "unmentioned" protectors.

Since, allegedly Kazini was there at her house, if she had killed him, dumped his body in some dumpster and then fled off to a foreign country I would have believed her story.

As it stands, she's nothing but an accomplice to a first degree murder.

One other thing, what would such a woman be doing with a metallic bar strong enough to kill Kazini? Is she a butcher?

Lastly, unless she convinces me that she killed Kazini after he had gone to sleep, you cannot explain to me how any person, male or female, can have the audacity to reach for a metallic bar against an armed soldier.


citizen and mouner
written by dora nabukenya , November 10, 2009

Men have died under mysterious circumstances, in 2004 a young soldier by the name Patrick whose home is in the neighbourhood of Afande Kategaya was murdered by his wife with whom he had one daughter. She cut his head with an axe, nothing was done no justice. Afande Kazini your death has reignited the death of Patrick in my heart, why why why? RIP Afande you will be remembered foe ever and those involved will perish too one day and meet you in the next world. Uganda my country is gone gone RIP AFANDE


Misleading Heading
written by mugabo , November 10, 2009

Your headline is completely misleading, and you should actually take it down. The woman said she killed Kazini. She did not PLEAD GUILTY TO MURDERING HIM. Consult any lawyer, and he`ll tell you the difference between the two


...
written by Twakoowa , November 10, 2009

So many iron bars lying around all over the place. I don't know what this is all about because I don't know neither the woman nor the man, not as ordinaly people not as heroes.

But of the lot I know about Uganda and "Ugandans" I think people should keep God out of this. Only He knows where and when he comes in. And I also believe you rest in peace, when you have done your work right, RIP is not a constitutional right.


...
written by Kajubi James 0712417709 , November 10, 2009

I really feel sad by the way the former army commander died,the Baganda have a saying that'The heroes can be killed by small thing....,May his soul rest in eternal peace


citizen
written by owor , November 11, 2009

its unfortunate but true about the death of JK. young or old its a lesson for us. have respect for the family that you will leave behind and above all who are accountable for your life.

i sympathise with the wife who has no words to explain the husbands death. its painful. Uganda has lost a great leader but socially decayed. may his soul rest in internal peace.


Such a Lie!!
written by Bubbly , November 11, 2009

I don't see why we are making such a fuss over Kazini's death. SO what if he was a well known army man? SO what if he fought wars? What about all the other people dying?

And don't tell me about the VP's son. He is just like any other young man who died too soon. Back to Kazini, I am sad for his children and other dependants, but life goes on. As for what actually went down, only God and Draru and whoever else may have been there know.


Its too bad........
written by Mathias Matege , November 11, 2009

Am really confused as of now,missing such great afande.General rest in eternal peace.We will miss u forever.


WHETHER ADRARU KILLED ALONE OR USED,WITH OTHERS, SHE'S STILL A MURDERER AND I CONDEMN HER ACTIONS
written by ketie , November 11, 2009

As a woman, i highly condemn the actions of Draru Lydia Atim a.k.a Assimwe.And she shd face real hell and the law.

If this woman (Draru)didn't act alone(i mean if she's used) to do such horrible thing to kazini ( which i strongly suspect), she must stand warned that, that's the end of her life also. Those who used her, will now turn against her as we have witnessed in some other cases Read Besigye's case)where people are used to do dirt for others and later turn against them. That's the reality and the norm in this Mafia clique (Read regime).
I appeal to all women and men out there, who were used and /or are willing to be used to kill your friends, relatives, coworkers,neighbours, lovers (partners) etc, you MUST stand warned that, after he/she's gone, celebrate only for 10 minutes b'se the next person to follow him/her is none other than you. That's how this clique commands their chain of operation.
Therefore, before you decide to be used to kill someone (in the name of survival), first ask yourself whether you also still want to live. Otherwise their Motto is; "Kill today and be killed tommorrow" "Not kill to survive as they tell you"
Kazini rest in peace and whoever murdered you will rest in pieces whether he/she'l be alive or dead.


Sad But.....
written by Mr. T , November 11, 2009

Its bad news that he's dead. But how I wish we could make all flash backs of his life, band and good. I think his dark side outweighs the bright side. The first Ugandan who said the KABAKA can be arrested, some atrocities in Luwero (I hear), Plunder of national resources and Congo saga. Its bad he he fought for a bad regime, the virtue of which his death remains a mystery. I don't think he'll Rest in Peace for he died a sinly way, we he had time to repent - may be he did it the last second. Mysterious deaths are becoming the order of the day, Amin wasn't educated and so could kill irresponsibly but the learned bad regime has all the intellect to do it wisely. Lets thank him for the good thinks butt.....


eliminated?
written by anonymous , November 11, 2009

Could it be that Kazini was unhappy and questioning about the way his brother Jet Mwebaze died, also questioning several other issues and so he (Kazini) had to be eliminated at any earliest opportunity? Otherwise I find it hard to believe that this woman acted alone. Sorry he's died before giving his life to Christ.


fail in battlefield ... but not in the bedroom!!
written by Rodney , November 11, 2009

The Kazini - Draru incidence is the exact replay of Samson's - Delilah/Philistines film portryed in Judges 16. As Samson was, so Kazini was deadly in the battlefield but not in bedroom. Your enemy will follow you at your weakest point or he will always wait you there with all wit.
Men, I wish we could all remember what our sunday school teachers used to teach us and not die like dogs. I wish James had time to repent. May God judge him with liniency. Farewell James!! But other let's wake up!


it's very sad
written by hellie , November 11, 2009

may his soul rest in peace. let God be the one to judge and not man. i should say it was his day to leave us though very sad about his loss.honestly his day had come like anyone of us will leave this world one day. JK we're honestly going to miss you.agreat liberator and commander. may God be with you whereever you are going. so sad


SOMETIMES WE LIVE WITH VAMPIRES HOPING THEY ARE OUR LOVERS
written by kukunda , November 11, 2009

From the confession of Draru i have read in the Monitor and New Vision papers ,i conclude that, this woman is just a vampire like ones we watch in movies.
If human beings had the power to determine their death, Kazini wouldn't have died the way he did, but alas. That's the irony of life. Just rest in peace.


Candiru kills a General!!!!!!!!
written by Ozoo , November 11, 2009

Did the daughter of Lugbaras as it is sang kill this general alone? No! police find out!


A destiny to every one
written by muhammad , November 11, 2009

condolense to the family of kazin, so many great leaders we know and those we dont have taken the same destiny. whether you name it iron bar murder or not, your turn is around the corner and it will be branded as well. we wish to have extremly pure people to inherit this country.


Bye Afande
written by Noah , November 11, 2009

thats unbelievable hes gone,,what a gallant soldier he was,,i recall seeing him often on the front lines..how he sacrificed for this country..the country need such gallant soldiers and we shall miss him,,RIP


ITS PITTY.....
written by george willy , November 11, 2009

Its pitty but we should not praise him alot b'coz did he had kavuyo every where so let him rest in peace but he wasn't an easy man.....


hero of the heroes
written by byoma , November 11, 2009

where was the killer's sister when the general was being clobbered to death?
why was he called from his home, and by the way, who called him, and why?

would he have survived if he had received help as he was calling for it; in such case, the sister to the killer should also be charged for either assisting the killer or neglecting to help a dying man.


Bye Bye Kazini
written by Matte Magwara , November 11, 2009

Bye bye Afande Kazini. This world is not our home. May justice be done.


Time to shed some crocodile tears !
written by Juma Kato , November 11, 2009

One more very big funeral has arrived , thanks to Miss Katayimbwa . As usual , the occasion will provide President Museveni with an opportunity to make one big speech .

I am waiting for him to say that the late Kazini was one of the few young revolutionalist that he has indentified as his successor . On that short list , is the name of another James , Wapakabulo , Mayombo , and Sserwanga Lwanga .

There will be tears to follow that announcement . But as the Baganda say , "asekela mukikonde" . Someone must be happy that one of the few NRA officers who openly grumbled about how the army is badly run is no longer alive .



KUFA KUZIKANA
written by ATUKWATSE ALEX , November 11, 2009

EI CANT REALLY BELIEVE!
that it has not been bcoz of the weapon, which is loved by many and hated by many,which has saved millions of lives and killed millions of lives, but just a metal bar...........

" FOR WHO DIE IN THE HANDS OF THE GUN, REST IN THE HANDS OF THE WEAPON"

we shall live to remember all that you have done.......

RIP...


He hard a History of Battering Women...What contributions to the country?
written by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , November 11, 2009

Power and corruption is killing them! The woman acted in self defense. His history of alchoholism and torturing women is well documented. So lets not praise a man of such a calibre.

What contributions to the country..... corruption? They all fought for their own interests and not for the country. If it had been for Uganda, this country would not still be a 3rd world country, most corrupt, with a dictatorial regime etc.


GREAT WORK!
written by BERNA KODILI C , November 11, 2009

Welldone rest in peace what u did not do u were not meant to.thank God you did what you were meant to, to your very best.Bravo Gen Kazini may God have mercy on you.will be dearly missed


Good Riddance!
written by borat , November 11, 2009

There, I said it! A resounding reminder to all those involved in keeping fellow citizens under the military yoke. You are not as invincible as you think.

And what better vengeance than a "mere" woman. He was a soldier who served his boss, but no Ugandan hero. This noun is bandied around too much. One less brute to worry about. Now, start decomposing!


Who is a hero?
written by Frustrated soldier , November 11, 2009

I'm surprised by the way ugandans award heroism. Can u imagine some1 just refered to brian bukenya as a hero!!!!!!

When I was doing cadet yrs back, my instructors used 2 say cadet is neither a person nor an animal. A cadet is something worthless. Now wen I see people refering to a cadet as a hero, I get frustrated.

Some of us have served this country in unbelievable situations but we have not seen our fallen collegues being labled heros. Actually on record no cadet course has ever got completed without atleast a cadet dying. May be it takes being a son of a big man.


Remember, so we shall all go!
written by Tim Abuu , November 11, 2009

One by one, they will all go, just like their victims did, and so we all shall!
Hero?! Villain?! Whatever, RIP


Its a Shame
written by SENRICH , November 11, 2009

May james' soul rest in eternal peace but remember everyone has to be judged before God.


Kill others by the Sword die by the Sword
written by Mary Gorretti Nsinjo, Ca., USA , November 11, 2009

Even though bad things shouldn't be said of a dead person, truth has to be said. Maj. Gen. Kazini will be missed by many, the soldiers, Villa fans and those who ate and drunk with him.

However, there are many who will not regret his death. He was implicated in an UN report for plundering Congo's resources. The Congolese will not regret him. He beat up Dr. Kagoda after falsily suspecting him of having an affair with his girl friend Winnie whom he also beat up also.

No love lost with Dr. Kagoda! Yet the greatest irony is how can a Major General who fought many wars be killed by a lady? This reminds us that we carry our vessels in earthen ware. Those who kill others by the sword die by the sword. A lesson to all of us, whether we are Generals, priests, pastors or doctors. May his soul rest in peace.


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