Baguma's murder case file goes missing

The murder file against former CPS Division Police Commander ASP Aaron Baguma has gone missing, the High Court has been told.

On Monday, Baguma, who also faces charges of aggravated robbery and kidnap with intent to murder of Kampala businesswoman Donah Katushabe appeared before Justice Flavia Anglin Ssenoga for the trial of his case to kick off but the court was told that the case file was missing.

The state prosecutor Fatuma Nakafeero told court that the trial could not continue because the file on which Baguma is charged together with Pine car bond proprietor Muahmmad Ssebuufu was nowhere to be seen before asking for more time.

“We request that we are given more time so as to be able to trace for the police file to enable the accused take plea and witnesses summoned for hearing to kick off,”Nakafeero told court.

The case was adjourned to January 10, 2018.

Baguma is charged alongside Kampala businessman Mohammad Ssebuufu, and six others including; Godfrey Kayiza, Philip Mirambe, Stephen Lwanga, Paul Tasingika, Yoweri Kitayimba, Shaban Otuddu and Damaseni Ssentongo for the alleged murder of Katusabe who was tortured to death at Pine car bond in Kampala for failing to pay a balance of Shs 9 million for a car she had earlier bought.

The incident is alleged to have taken place in October 2015 but Baguma and Ssebuufu have since been granted bail.

It's alleged that having gone to the scene of crime, Baguma found Katusabe being beaten and just asked her to pay off the debt instead of saving her from the irate mob led by the Pine car bond proprietor.

According to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Baguma is criminally liable for neglecting his duty as a police officer leading to death of Katushabe.

The case saw a number of delays after police failed to produce its officer for trial prompting the Director of Public Prosecutions Justice Mike Chibita to write to police issuing a two week ultimatum for the institution to produce Baguma.

He had been first summoned in December 2015 but failed to show up.

Baguma had amidst this circus been sent for a four month course at the police senior and Staff College in Bwebajja along Entebbe road but was finally produced and charged on August 30th 2016 before being remanded to Kigo prison.