KAMPALA— The police tribunal has charged the former in-charge of Nansana Police Station in Wakiso district, Muhammad Kirumira, with six counts.
Kirumira who is currently the Buyende District Police Commander (DPC) allegedly committed the offences between 2013 and 2014 in Nansana and Old Kampala when he was in charge at the time.
Mr Kirumira was arraigned before police tribunal at Police Headquarters in Naguru on Tuesday and charged with torture, extortion, corruption, bribery, unlawful arrests and excessive use of authority.
The counts were read to him by the police prosecutor, Senior Superintendent of Police Katherine Kusemererwa.
Prosecution stated that Kirumira used his powers to torture civilians and extort money from them.
Kusemererwa also submitted that Mr Kirumira, while he was commander of Old Kampala Police Division, arrested Mr Aramathan Kakooza and tortured him until the victim paid Shs350,000 to reclaim his freedom.
She further informed the Police Court that in 2014, Mr Kirumira used his powers to release a suspect in a drug syndicate after the accused paid him Shs4.8m.
The police tribunal is chaired by Senior Commissioner of Police Mr Denis Odongpiny.
“I want to inform this court that the officer in the dock arrested Mr Bosco Kirigwajjo when he was OC for Nansana Police Station in 2013. He slapped, kicked and assaulted the suspect before he put him in the cells. He also arrested two suspects, Mr Robert Kaleefu and Mr James Kakaire, and extorted Shs250,000 from them,” Ms Kusemererwa submitted.
Kirumira is also accused of neglect of duty contrary of Section 44(1) Code 19, corruption practices contrary to Section 44(1) Code 23(a) and discreditable or irregular conduct contrary to Section 44(1) Code 12 of the Police Act.
He, however, denied the accusations against him.
“…I am not aware of those charges and I have never committed any of them. I plead not guilty because I am innocent,” Kirumira said.
The case was adjourned to February 1 for hearing.
