Nagirinya’s elder sister has broken down while testifying in a case where eight police officers are being tried for neglect of duty on the night of the kidnap.
On the night of August 28, unidentified men kidnapped driver Ronald Kitayimbwa and Maria Nagirinya, a former employee of Community Integrated Development Initiative, an NGO from her home at the gate in Busega Lungujja before killing them and their bodies were later found dumped in Mukono.
Following the kidnap and resultant murder of the duo, President Museveni ordered the immediate sacking and prosecution of police officers manning the CCTV camera command control centre in Nateete over negligence.
This followed reports from relatives including Nagirinya’s father who accused police of not helping them after the incident has just happened.
Harriet Nakyejwe told the police disciplinary court on Thursday told court that she was called by her younger sister, Berna Nakidde to inform her of Nagirinya’s kidnap.
“She was all crying on the phone as she broke the news to me. I then informed our uncle, Dr.Ben Mukwaya, our dad and others that we proceeded to Lungujja,”Nakyejwe told court.
She noted that on reaching Lungujja, they decided to go to Lungujja Police Station where they were informed that the incident had not been reported to the station.
“Uncle Ben(Dr.Ben Mukwaya) said we should go to Nateete where the CCTV command centre is.”
Breaks down
The witness however broke down as she narrated how the group was stopped from entering Nateete police station with their vehicles.
“The police officers stopped us from entering the station with our vehicle despite being night time.”
The witness broke down as she tried to narrate the ordeal they went through after entering the police station.
This prompted the court chairperson, Denis Odongpiny to ask for an adjournment.
The charges
A total of eight police officers including three Assistant Superintendents of Police – ASPs Muhammad Byansi – Officer in Charge of Nateete Police Station, Andrew Nizeyimana – Nateete OC CID and Allan Okello- Nateete Patrol Commander are facing charges related to negligence of duty.
Other officers are Detective Assistant Inspector of Police Sande Baguma, Corporal Samuel Owona, Detective Reuben Kibikwamu, Police Constable Joshua Basaliza and Police Constable Deo Kitutu.
Prosecution led by Senior Superintendent of Police, Steven Ibanda accuses the group of negligence and discreditable conduct contrary to Section 44(1) of the Police Act.