KAMPALA —The police disciplinary court has demoted two officers and reprimanded six others after findings them guilty of negligence of duty in the kidnap and subsequent murder of Maria Nagirinya and her driver Ronald Kitayimbwa in August.
The officers, some of whom were manning the CCTV control centre and Nateete Police Station, were convicted for not responding in time when they received a distress call that Nagirinya, a social worker, and her driver had been kidnapped.
“The Police disciplinary court has found them of guilty after neglecting their duties. They failed to immediately respond to a report of a double kidnap. They also violated the requirement of duty of remaining alert while on duty,” Police spokesman Fred Enanga told journalists in Kampala on Monday, December 09, 2019.
Mr Enanga said the police court ordered that Corporals Samuel Owona and Reuben Kibikwamu be demoted after being found guilty of negligence of duty and discreditable conduct.
The others – ASPs Muhammad Byansi – Officer in Charge of Nateete Police Station, Andrew Nizeyimana – Natete OC CID , Allan Okello-Detective Assistant Inspector of Police Sande Baguma, Police Constable Joshua Basaliza and Police Constable Deo Kitutu – were cautioned.
“They have a period of 14 days to appeal against the sentences before the appellant court of the police force,” Mr Enanga said.
Following the incident, President Museveni ordered for the arrest and prosecution of the officers who were manning the CCTV camera command centre on the fateful day.
Subsequently, the eight officers were arraigned before the police disciplinary court and charged with negligence and discreditable conduct contrary to Section 44(1) of the Police Act.
