Now, Police drops torture charges against Kirumira

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The case against controversial former Buyende District Police Commander ASP Muhammad Kirumira took yet another twist, when prosecution withdrew two charges of torture against him at the Police Tribunal.

Prosecution told the tribunal at Naguru that they did not have witnesses to enable them push the torture case forward. Kirumira was further remanded over other cases. This particular case relates to torture claims by one Pius Kato and Paul Ochaya when Kirumira was in charge of Nansana Police station in 2014.

Kirumira was detained last week to face charges of torture, extortion, corruption, bribery, unlawful arrests and excessive use of authority. With two cases against him now dropped –  police say a witness failed to testify in one, and the complainant passed on in the other – Kirumira now remains with 6 more cases to answer.

Police’s Flying squad were last week forced to break into controversial Kirumira’s home in Bulenga to arrest him, a day after he vowed to resign, claiming he is being mistreated by the police force.

Kirumira locked himself in the house, demanding that police produce an arrest warrant. The Buyende DPC has been in the spotlight for the last five years over accusations of abuse of office.

Kirumira charged: Former Buyende District Police commander Muhammad Kirumira is to be charged with misconduct before the Police Disciplinary Court in Naguru. #NTVNews https://t.co/bJYvmp9Ffy pic.twitter.com/N3E0gKZnze

— NTV UGANDA (@ntvuganda) February 8, 2018

NEWS: Happening Now, Prosecution in the police court has withdrawn charges of torture levelled against former Buyende DPC Muhammad Kirumira.
Prosecution failed to find witnesses. #NTVNews @ntvuganda pic.twitter.com/lLlk3z3pER

— Walter Mwesigye (@MwesigyeWalter) February 8, 2018