Stephen Mulombo, a former police officer who owned the gun used in the murder of an Indian moneylender along Parliamentary Avenue has pleaded guilty to charges of neglect.
Mulombo left his weapon unattended to in the barracks and was picked by his fellow officer, Ivan Wabwire who later used it to shoot dead Uttam Bhandari, the Director of KFS Financial Services.
Whereas Wabwire currently faces murder charges, Mulombo who was attached to the Central Police Station in Kampala was recently arraigned before the police disciplinary court and dismissed from the force.
Charges of neglect of duty contrary to section 114 of the Penal Code Act and failure to keep a fire arm and ammunition contrary to section 30(1)(a), (b) of the Fire Arms Act were preferred against him.
However, the former police officer pleaded guilty and entered a plea bargain agreement with the office of the DPP in which he accepted to be used as a state witness to pin his colleague, Wabwire in the trial for the murder of the Indian moneylender.
Consequently, he was sentenced to one year and six months jail term for neglect of duty and one year for failure to keep a fire arm and ammunition.
“Both sentences are to run concurrently,” the plea bargain agreement reads in part.
“Prior to entering this plea, I have had a full opportunity to discuss with my advocate the facts of my case, the elements of the offense(s), any defenses available to me, my Constitutional rights and waiver of those rights and the consequences of my plea. I offer my plea of guilty voluntarily with full understanding and declare that no one has made or used any threat(s) and/or force against me, my family and loved ones, or offered any inducements or promises to me in exchange for my plea of guilty,”Mulombo who was represented by Evans Ocheng as his lawyer said .
Consequently, Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate, Fidelis Otwao agreed with the plea bargain arrangement.
"The court, having reviewed this form and any addenda, and having questioned the accused concerning accused’s constitutional rights, finds that the accused has expressly, knowingly, understandingly, and intelligently waived and given up his or her constitutional and statutory rights. The court finds that the accused voluntarily agreed to plead guilty with an understanding of the nature and consequences thereof, that any allegations as indicated in this form are true, and that there is a factual basis for the plea and admission(s). The court accepts the accused’s plea and orders that this agreement is incorporated in the docket by reference as though fully
set forth therein," Otwao ruled.
