The Police Disciplinary Standby Court at Police Headquarters has charged eight officers for professional misconduct for the way they handled the murder case of community worker Maria Nagirinya.
Nagirinya was kidnapped together with her driver Ronald Kitayimbwe on August 28.
Her family members contacted the police for help but they were allegedly turned away by officers on duty at Natete and Central police stations.
After discovering the dead bodies of Nagirinya and Kitayimbwa three days later, family members from both sides blamed officers who were on duty for refusing to answer their calls, which forced Police authorities to arrest every officer that was involved.
In a document issued by Police, spokesman Fred Enanga said; “Officers from Kampala Metropolitan Police South; ASP Byansi Mohammed, ASP Nizeyimana Andrew, ASP Okello Allan, D/AIP Baguma Sunday, CPL Owona Samuel, PC Basaliza Joshua and PC Kitute Deo, were jointly charged with Neglect of Duty C/S 44(1), Code 19(a), (b), (c) of the Police Act, Cap 303. Because they failed to immediately respond to a report of a kidnap, which affected the eventual response towards the victims, Maria Nagirinya and Ronald Kitayimbwa.”
Enanga added that the judgment follows an internal misconduct investigation by the Professional Standards Unit which also recommended that the officers should undergo a disciplinary process.
Also, CPL Kibikwamu Reuben was charged with Discreditable or Irregular Conduct C/s 44(1), Code 12 of the Police Act, Cap 303 because he acted in a manner likely to bring discredit to the reputation of the Uganda Police Force and cause injury to public service, when on the 28/08/2019 and 29/08/2019, at Nateete Police Station, he failed to professionally attend to the relatives of Maria Nagirinya and Ronald Kitayimbwa, who had sought his assistance.
According to Police all the 8 defaulters appeared before the Police Headquarters Disciplinary Standby Court on the 21/10/2019 and pleaded not guilty. They are all presumed innocent at this point and the court has to either prove or disprove the allegations against them.
“This case demonstrates how the force is well prepared to robustly address all issues of Professional Misconduct, to uphold the highest standards of policing. All officers are reminded of their duty to uphold the law and display the highest level of professionalism in the course of their duties. Therefore, any officer who compromises confidence in the force will always be dealt with appropriately,” Enanga said.
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