Editor
Police in Buhweju District are currently searching for one of their own officer who is responsible for fatally shooting a civilian.
Marcial Tumusiime, the spokesperson for the Greater Bushenyi police, has confirmed the incident. The victim has been identified as Bitahwa Osbert, a 23-year-old resident of Rwajere central cell, Rwajere parish, Burere subcounty, Buhweju District.
Tumusiime has also identified the suspect as Corporal Taremwa Gracious, badge number 44120, who serves at Burere Police Station in Buhweju District.
The incident occurred on October 25, 2023, around 8:30 AM. Corporal Taremwa, along with Police Constable Mwendya Derick, went to arrest a suspect named Katurebe Mayas, who was charged with obtaining money by false pretenses. They were accompanied by the chairman of Lc1, Kiwanuka Moses.
When they attempted to apprehend the suspect, he refused to open the door. According to Tumusiime, the chairman forcibly opened the door, and the suspect emerged with a blanket, which he used to cover the OC. A struggle ensued, during which Kiwanuka Moses managed to escape, and Mwendya pursued him. Mwendya eventually arrested the suspect, but the suspect overpowered him. Corporal Taremwa came to Mwendya’s aid and used the butt of his gun to subdue the suspect. During this struggle, the gun discharged, and the bullet struck the deceased, who was standing nearby with other onlookers and had been cheering for the suspect.
Tumusiime mentioned that an SMG rifle was recovered as evidence, along with one cartridge. The body of the deceased has been taken to Nsiika Health Centre IV for a postmortem examination.
