Editor
The Kabale territorial police are currently detaining two of their officers on suspicion of aggravated robbery. The incident allegedly involves the theft of approximately RF 85,000 (equivalent to around 260,000 UGX) from Thomas Habanabakize, a 38-year-old Rwandan resident of Rwambu village.
The suspects in custody are identified as follows:
- Officer No. 72486, PC Tusiime Gracious, a 25-year-old of Mukiga ethnicity, serving at Katuna under the Kabale Police Station.
- Officer No. 70477, PC Ekiyankundire Zechariah, a 26-year-old Mukiga officer also stationed at Katuna under the Kabale Police Station.
According to the allegations, on March 1, 2024, the complainant traveled from Rwanda to Katuna, Uganda, for shopping purposes at the border. Upon arrival, he was reportedly stopped by Ugandan police officers at Katuna border, who accused him of possessing counterfeit currency. It is claimed that the two police officers then robbed the complainant of RF 85,000, purportedly using firearms during or around the time of the robbery. Subsequently, they allegedly directed the complainant to use an alternative, non-designated route back to Rwanda.
Upon being alerted, an immigration officer named Canary informed the Officer in Charge (OC) at Katuna, who then questioned the accused officers regarding the robbery allegations. However, they denied the accusations. The OC took initial action against them and later referred the matter to the Kabale police station for further investigation.
The crime scene was inspected by a team of detectives led by DPC Bakaleke Joseph, D/CID/O D/SP Mukama Hakim, along with the District Scene of Crime Officer and others. Statements from relevant witnesses were obtained, and the suspects were promptly arrested and are currently in police custody as investigations proceed.
