Police officers convicted over stoning Museveni’s convoy in Arua

NSANGI NALWADDA

The Police disciplinary court sitting in Arua has convicted four out of the six officers accused of neglect of duty that led to stoning of President Museveni’s convoy in Arua last year.

After three days of hearing the case, the court presided over by  SCP Denis Ondongpiny convicted SP Jonathan Musinguzi, the former RPC for West Nile, SP Abbas Ssenyonjo , the former DPC for Arua, Robert Junena(FFU) and Edward Mugweri after three days of hearing the case.

The court ruled that the police officers failed to adequately deploy the available manpower of over 500 police officers who were at their disposal despite seeing signs that chaos was destined to break out in Arua.

The police disciplinary court said the police officers failed to secure the route President Museveni was using after campaigning for NRM’s Nusura Tiperu and in turn put his life in danger forcing the Special Forces Command to leave their cardinal role of protecting the president and turn to controlling the crowd.

The court ruled that this was a sign of neglect on the side of police commanders.

Basing on evidence by the Regional Professional Standards Unit, Evans Vuata and Allevious Muhoozi, an intelligence officer, the court ruled that the police commanders failed at quick decision making and intelligence which put the president’s life in danger when his convoy was stoned by Kassiano Wadri’s supporters.

Ask for lenience

During the mitigation process, all the officers asked for lenient sentences saying they are first time offenders and that are supposed to be key witnesses in the treason case against 34 people accused of stoning President Museveni’s car in Gulu court.

However, prosecution led by Stephen Ibanda asked court to give severe sentences to the convicts for putting the president’s life in danger.

“They should be given severe sentences for neglecting their duty. They should serve as an example to other officers never to take the president’s security for granted,” the prosecutor asked.

The court chaired by SCP Denis Ondongpiny will deliver its sentence today, Tuesday.

On August 13, the last campaign day for Arua Municipality by-elections, President Museveni’s convoy was stoned and the hind screen shattered by suspected Kassiano Wadri supporters.

Consequently, chaos erupted in the area and over 30 people including Members of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi, Kassiano Wadri, Paul Mwiru and Gerard Karuhanga among others were later arrested and detained by the army.

Bobi Wine’s driver Yasin Kawuma was also shot dead during the chaos.

Meanwhile, all the area security chiefs were later fired.