'Security guard killed IHK doctor to save his job'

Yesterday, the police recovered the body of International Hospital Kampala (IHK) doctor, Dr Catherine Agaba, from a sceptic tank at a house in Muyenga, a week after she went missing.

The recovery was aided by one of the key suspects in her murder, Ronald Obangakene, a security guard.

Now new details relating to her disappearance and eventual murder have emerged.

The police said on reconstructing the scene, they were able to get more details on how the deceased lost her life to the security guard.

“On April, 12, 2019, the victim returned home at around 8:30 pm, to a quiet and remote setting, at the apartments of Hajji Ibrahim Kiwanuka. She was attacked inside the gate by the local security guard(Obangakene), who accused her of threatening his job when she reported him for not being alert on duty to his employers.

So when Agaba went missing, the guard too went missing. This was a big clue for the investigating team as investigators started building on the disappearance to put together the missing links in the puzzle.

“We tracked him(Obangakene) down and arrested him from his home village, Adyeda, Loro sub county, Oyam District, where upon interrogation, he confessed to the murder and provided details, which led to the recovery of the victim’s body,”Enanga said.

“Upon arrest, the suspect led the task team to his sister’s home where the exhibits that included; a home theatre music system, a 32” Flat TV screen, a laptop, GoTV decoder, double –plate cooker, gas cylinder, flask disk and a smart phone were recovered from.”

On reconstruction of the scene, police was able to recover the deceased’s body which had been dumped into a septic tank after being strangled.

Police said the murder was premeditated adding that they are now investigating to find out if the security guard worked together with other people while orchestrating the mission that climaxed with Agaba’s killing.

“He strangled her to death and dumped her body in the septic tank.”

According to police, the security guard later picked the deceased’s house keys and phone before gaining access to her house where he picked some items.

Disappearance 

Following the doctor’s disappearance, friends and relatives made announcements requesting to get the whereabouts of their employ.

On Friday, the management of International Hospital Kampala said they last had contact with the missing doctor on April 9 when she applied for her annual leave.

“Our last contact with her was on Tuesday April 9 when she applied for annual leave. We appeal to anyone who has any useful information regarding her disappearance or whereabouts to report to the IHK Human Resource Office or nearest police station. We continue to stand with and pray for her and her family during this trying moment,” the IHK statement read in part.

Agaba’s boyfriend, Mohammed Hassan reported her disappearance two days after going missing to Kabalagala police station and the hunt for her kicked off.

To many, it was thought that the youthful doctor had been kidnapped by unknown people yet one came out to ask for any ransom before releasing her as it has been for many kidnap cases.

Enanga warned the public on the people they employ as security guards, saying they need to be vetted well before being given jobs.

“We want to appeal to all landlords and property owners, to ensure thorough vetting and background checks are conducted before hiring security guards. In this instance, the suspect was handpicked, as a local guard, without undergoing any rigorous background checks, and training on guard duties and related responsibilities.”