Bakaleke, six other officers face kidnap, robbery charges

Former Kampala South Regional Police Commander Siraje Bakaleke addressing jouralists in Kampala recently.

KAMPALA- Former Kampala South Regional Police Commander Siraje Bakaleke and six others face five capital offences resulting from kidnap and extortion of Shs1.4b from three Korean nationals last month.

Police said the five offences that Mr Bakaleke and his co-accused face include unlawful deportation of two Koreans, obtaining money by false pretence, aggravated robbery for using guns, kidnap and theft. They were implicated in a scheme that led to gunpoint extortion from the two foreigners who were in the country to purchase gold.

Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima said there are two case files probing the alleged crime committed by its officers; one by Professional Standards Unit (PSU) and the other by Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

“These were serious crimes that we are investigating to conclusion. We have two files in regard to these cases. One is being handled by PSU for disciplinary action and the other will be taken to criminal court. Our investigations are progressing very well and we only miss a statement from one suspect who is yet to appear,” Mr Kayima said.

Mr Bakaleke, Mr Frantile Lwamusai (Katwe police commander), Mr Isaac Munezero (the officer-in-charge of Crime Intelligence at Katwe Police Station), Mr George Kayongo, Mr Kenneth Zirintuusa and Mr Patrick Ochen, are accused of robbing Shs1.4 billion from South Koreans identified as Park Seunghoon and Jang Shingu Un at gunpoint last month.