Police halts trial of officers accused of mismanaging murder case

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Police Disciplinary Tribunal has halted the trial of three police officers accused of mismanaging a murder case in Wakiso.

Two officers Joseph Kamukama, the Officer in Charge –OC Wakiso police station and Patrick Mugume, OC for Kisimbiri police post and Police Constable Isaac Kabosi were supposed to appear in Police Court but their trial has since been halted.

They are accused of mismanaging a case file regarding the murder of Wakiso businessman Vincent Serungi, who was shot dead by their colleague Stephen Wafula on March 31.

Last month, they were arrested by Criminal Investigations Directorate and State House Anti-Corruption Unit after investigations established that they had frustrated the case purposely to protect Wafula.

After being detained for two weeks, the officers pinned Wafula for killing Serungi for what they termed as reckless reaction. The Directorate of Public Prosecution dropped murder charges against ASP Mugume, Kamukama and Kabosi but maintained murder charges against Wafula.

Onyango said Constable Wafula has since been charged in Wakiso Court but the disciplinary tribunal of three other police officers has been halted due to the Covid-19 guidelines that prohibit gatherings in addition to the fact the accused officers have been living in various communities.

“Constable Wafula has been charged with murder and he waits to appear for committal to High Court. Trial for other police officers is halted,” SP Onyango said.

CID and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit picked interest in Serungi’s murder after a petition by deceased’s relatives accusing Mugume and Kamukama for frustrating the case purposely to protect their colleague and three other civilians who were involved in his murder.

Police said investigations show that Serungi was accusing the suspect of using his motorcycle without paying for it which led to a fight. Detectives subdued the deceased together with the help of civilians and called for support from Constable Wafula who rushed to the scene and shot Serungi to death.

Mugume according to detectives was informed about the incident but he downplayed it.

Kamukama was arrested for attempting to protect, Caesar Ekwang, one of the civilian suspects.

“ASP Kamukama allegedly pulled out his pistol and threatened to shot the investigators. The team used their skills and arrested him,” Onyango said.

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