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Tragic twist: Mother of 5 faces murder charge after son’s mysterious death

Joline Dusabe Mutesi, a mother of five, had been married to diplomat Chris Rugari since 2013.
Mutesi and her deceased son
Mutesi and her deceased son

Joline Dusabe Mutesi, a mother of five, had been married to diplomat Chris Rugari since 2013.

The couple's love life seemed solid, despite Rugari often being away due to his work. However, in 2023, an unexpected phone call shattered their world.

A stranger informed Rugari that he had a child with his wife, leading to confusion and suspicion. Rugari initially dismissed the claim, believing it was an attempt to ruin their marriage.

But the calls continued, pushing him to take a DNA test for the couple’s five children. He tested three, and the results revealed that only their first-born was his biological child. Rugari was devastated, especially by the discovery that two of the children he had loved dearly were not his.

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Deeply shaken, he requested a divorce. Despite the painful revelations, Joline refused to accept Rugari's decision, even after their son began accusing her of infidelity.

Her anger reached a boiling point when Rugari filed for divorce, leading to a fresh DNA test being ordered for all five children. The results were to be used in court as evidence of adultery.

The situation took a darker turn when Joline’s two-year-old son, Nganwa Rugari, mysteriously died. Joline claimed the child had fallen from the first floor of their house in Kintale. Doctors found him stable, but recommended further testing.

The following morning, Joline rushed him back to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Her story of a tragic fall was met with disbelief from a family friend who advised the relatives not to bury the child before police clearance.

The investigation revealed that there were no signs of injury on the child’s body, and the window through which Joline claimed he had fallen was permanently shut. Suspicion grew, and police arrested Joline and her maid.

Further investigation uncovered that the child had died due to lack of oxygen in his lungs and had been starved for days. A post-mortem report confirmed this grim finding. As arrangements for the burial began, police insisted on conducting a DNA test, which confirmed that the child was indeed Rugari’s biological son.

Rugari, now devastated by the loss of his son and the shocking turn of events, was allowed to proceed with the burial in Kabale. Joline, 40, remains in custody at Jinja Road Police Station, facing a murder charge. What began as a divorce case has now turned into a chilling saga, likely to leave lasting scars on both parents. Joline will appear in court soon to face the charges.

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