Former Kampala DPC, Aaron Baguma to be reinstated

Aaron Baguma, the interdicted former Kampala Central Police Division Police Commander could soon return to active service.  Baguma was interdicted in 2016 when he was charged for his alleged involvement in the murder of businesswoman, Donah Katushabe at Pine Car bond.

However, last week, Justice Mike Chibita, the Director of Public Prosecution dropped the murder charges against Baguma citing the absence of a police file on the matter. It came after the state prosecutor told court that Baguma's file had gone missing. Chibita later reportedly told Katushabe's family that there was no evidence linking Baguma to the murder contrary to the initial communication.

He also told the family that Baguma would be a state witness. Baguma was jointly charged with eight others including Muhammed Ssebuwufu, the proprietor of Pine Car Bond where Katushabe met her death for allegedly failing to clear a balance of Shillings 9million on the car she had bought from there.

The others are; Godfrey Kayiza, Philip Mirambe, Stephen Lwanga, Paul Tasingika, Yoweri Kitayimba, Shaban Otuddu and Damaseni Ssentongo. The prosecution of Baguma drew angry reactions from the Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura who are accused the DPP for witch-hunting the officer.

Now, Police spokesperson, Emilian Kayima, says Baguma is a free man since the Directorate of Public Prosecution-DPP dropped charges against him. "When the DPP dropped charges against the officer, it set him totally free. When you are set free, you are a free man and so is the officer," Kayima said. Adding that, "he will use that record to write to the IGP notifying him of the same and the process of redeployment will start."

According to the Public Service standing orders, once a government employee is cleared of criminal charges or they are dropped, he is supposed to write to the Service Commission and be reinstated. Baguma is also supposed to receive a refund of all his salary that was deducted during his interdiction.

"A public officer interdicted shall receive such salary not being less than half of his/her basic salary,  subject to a refund of the other half,  in case the Interdiction is lifted and the charges dropped," reads the standing order in part.