The General Court Martial in Makindye has on Tuesday afternoon charged several police officers with offences related to kidnap and repatriation of Rwandan refugees.
Former police director in charge of Crime Intelligence, Col.Ndahura Atwooki, ACP Herbert Muhangi, the former Flying Squad Commander, SSP Richard Ndaboine (former head of Police Cyber Crime Unit) and Nixon Agasiirwe(former commander, Special Operations Unit) were arraigned before the army court.
Others were AIP Jonas Ayebaze, ASP Patrick Muramira(former deputy commander police Special Operations Unit) and Detective constable Abel Ktagenda.
They were charged together with the former Inspector General of Police Gen.Kale Kayihura with aiding and abetting kidnap and repatriation of Rwandese refugees back to Rwanda against their own will.
It is alleged that between the year 2012 and 2016, by omission and commission, the group aided and abetted the actions of subordinate police officers and others on various occasions without hindrance to kidnap and illegally repatriated Rwandan exiles, refugees and Ugandan citizens to Rwanda including Lt.Joel Mutabazi, Jackson Karemera and Sgt. Innocent Karisa.
They were also charged with failure to protect war materials contrary to section 122(1) (2) (d) of the UPDF Act 2005.
The state alleges that between the year 2010 and 2018 the police officers on various occasions allowed the issue of arms and ammunitions to unauthorized persons including members of Boda boda 2010 led by one Abdullah Kitatta.
The group is also accused of failure to supervise and ensure accountability for the arms and ammunitions issued to specialized units under the office of the Inspector General of Police including the Flying Squad, Special Operations Unit, witness protection unit and the Crime Intelligence directorate of the police force.
A few minutes to 3pm, the group were brought to court driven in a Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence(CMI) van before being led to the court cells.
They were later led to the dock from where they were read the charges in English and all denied them.
“We ask for more time because investigations into the matter have not been complete, ”said the lead state prosecutor, Maj. Raphael Mugisha.
The army court chairman, Lt.Gen.Andrew Gutti adjourned the matter to February 14 before remanding all of them to Makindye military police barracks.