Following pressure from the public, the police force has finally admitted making a mistake in the killing of Ronald Ssebulime, a man suspected to have tried to assassinate ICT minister Aida Nantaba on Sunday.
Police in a Sunday statement said two men dressed in black leather suits and riding a silver grey Suzuki sports motorcycle Registration Number UDL 822A, allegedly trailed Nantaba in a “threatening” manner for over 40 kilometres from Sezibwa Bridge up to Naggalama trading centre.
“In the process, Ronald Ssebulime, a resident of Nakabugo Village, Nakabugo Parish, and Busiro County in Wakiso District was shot dead during the pursuit,” Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said in his statement.
However, the narrative was protested by a number of people especially eyewitnesses who insisted Ssebulime had been arrested, handcuffed and later shot dead by police officers.
“They arrested him, bundled him on the back of the pickup while on handcuffs but later got him out and shot him twice,” said one of the eyewitnesses in Naggojje where Ssebulime was killed.
“Nantaba’s alleged attacker was harmless, soft spoken,” friends say (VIDEO)
In a twist of events, the police spokesperson, Fred Enanga told journalists on Wednesday that he had been misled by officers who were on the patrol vehicle that pursued Ssebulime and killed him.
“We regret that our initial media release of Sunday, 24th March 2019, surrounding the drive by threats by Hon. Idah Nantaba was not totally accurate,”Enanga said.
He noted that when the minister alerted police over a person suspected to have intensions of assassinating her, police officers on a 999 patrol from Mukono responded and intercepted the alleged attackers but concentrated on Ssebulime who was riding a motorcycle and was carrying a bag
“After a few warning shots in the air, the suspect stopped and surrendered to the police, who arrested and led him to the police vehicle. The stranger, whom he was carrying, to guide him to St. Andrew Kaggwa for visitation, also disappeared and was not traced. It is true that the deceased was removed from the police pickup and instantly shot dead by our officer.”
In one of the most sorrowful statements that the force has issued in a number of years, Enanga apologised to Ssebulime’s family saying they had made a regrettable mistake.
The police also revealed that the bag found with Ssebulime contained nothing harmless but eats and drinks.
“We are also using the incident as a test of leadership against the territorial commanders, who failed to detect the true reality of what happened on that day, and forwarded a report that was not accurate, to their superiors. We are also using the incident as a test of leadership against the territorial commanders, who failed to detect the true reality of what happened on that day, and forwarded a report that was not accurate, to their superiors,” noted the statement.
“We once again extend our sympathies to the family of Ssebulime Ronald, who was shot and killed by our officer. His cause of death was due to haemorrhage following gunshot wounds.The exhibits of a bag with eats and drinks belonging to the deceased; and the police guns have been recovered, to aid in our investigations.”
Three Police officers arrested
Enanga said three officers were in charge of the police patrol vehicle that intercepted, arrested, handcuffed and later shot dead Ssebulime.
He named the three officers as Cpl Edward Ssali who was the car commander, Constable Ronald Opira and Constable Ronald Baganza whereas another officer identified as Constable Robert Cherotich who is on the run is also wanted.
“They have been arrested for trying to conceal the true facts of the events surrounding the killing of Ssebulime Ronald, after they submitted false reports about what really happened upon intercepting the suspects.”
He said they have created a joint team of investigators from the Kampala Metropolitan East Region and Homicide squad from CID headquarters in a bid to find out circumstances leading to the incident.
The police also admitted it was a murder case by some of its officers
“The police does not condone any acts of extrajudicial nature, reason why we are holding the suspects accountable for the death of Ronald Ssebulime.”
The latest statement by police comes on the heels of complaints by Minister Nantaba questioning the motive of the police officers who killed Ssebulime.
