Former Wandegeya DPC Nanoka charged with duty neglect
KAMPALA.
A new charge of neglect of duty has been slapped on former Wandegeya Division Police Commander at the ongoing trial of officers involved in the beating of Dr Kizza Besigye supporters at Police court in Naguru.
Ms Catherine Kushemerirwe, the state prosecutor, said Mr Moses Nanoka, neglected his duty when he did not restrain his juniors from beating up civilians who were cheering Dr Besigye at Kalerwe Market on July 12.
“Mr Chairman [Dennis Odongpiny], I would like to amend the charge sheet and include a third count on Mr Nanoka for neglecting his duty as a commander. He did not restrain his officers from beating up civilians at Kalerwe Market,” Ms Kushemerirwe said.
Mr Nanoka, who is charged alongside Constable Robert Wanzala, pleaded not guilty over the new charge slapped on him. Neglect of duty is contrary to section 44(1) code 19(A) of the police Act.
Mr Nanoka and Constable Wanzala are also charged with unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority contrary to Section 44 (1) Code 24 of the Police Act and discreditable or irregular conduct contrary to Section 44 (1) Code 12 of the Police Act.
Upon conviction, the officers are liable to demotion, dismissal from the force or detention in police custody. The police court set September 6, as a day of ruling on whether the two suspects have a case to answer or not.
Mr James Ruhweza, the former Kampala metropolitan operations commander, on July 29 pinned Mr Nanoka that he was seated in the pick-up carrying officers who beat up Dr Besigye supporters.
Court was told that Mr Ruhweza learnt about the beating of civilians through a telephone call from Mr Jonathan Baroza, the personal assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura.
Mr Ruhweza ruled out any danger would have happened and insisted the force the officers used to disperse civilians was unnecessary and excessive.
“Nothing could have happened. The force that was used was on women carrying babies, civilians walking on roadside and cheering up Dr Besigye. It was unnecessary and inappropriate,” he reiterated.
Mr Odongpiny asked Mr Ruhweza whether he knew where the officers picked the batons. Ruhweza said the officers got the batons from the field force commanders.
