I am ready to be State witness - Baguma

KAMPALA. Former Kampala Central Division police commander Aaron Baguma, who was exonerated from the ongoing trial of suspects in the murder of businesswoman Betty Donah Katusabe has spoken out on being turned into a State witness.

Last Thursday, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Mike Chibita, withdrew murder charges opting to turn Mr Baguma into a state witness during the trial despite earlier confirmation by DPP that there was incriminating evidence linking him to the homicide.

In an interview with Daily Monitor on Monday, Mr Baguma said he will act as advised by his lawyers since he was the arresting officer of the suspects before he was dragged into the same case.

“As an officer who arrested the suspects, I know I shall one time be needed to give some information that would ensure successful prosecution of the offenders. I will be engaging my lawyers and I would act as advised. But I want to assure the public that I am available to ensure justice is delivered,” he said.

Causing death
Mr Baguma was jointly charged with eight others, including Mr Muhammed Ssebuwufu, the proprietor of Pine Car Bond in Kampala, for torturing and causing death of business woman Katusabe over a Shs9m car debt.
Katusabe had bought a vehicle from Ssebuwufu, depositing Shs10 million and leaving a balance of Shs9m.

DPP’s evidence tendered in court when committing Mr Baguma to High Court for trial stated that on October 21, 2016, Mr Baguma while holding the position of DPC, went to Pine Car Bond, a few metres away from his duty station in Kampala, accompanied by other police officers where he found Katusabe under confinement by his co-accused, including the proprietor of the car bond, Mr Muhammed Ssebuwufu.

The DPP further stated that Mr Baguma talked to the deceased and ordered her to pay the money she owed Ssebuwufu.
However, Mr Baguma insists that he never visited the scene before the woman was killed, claiming he was in a community policing workshop at Protea Hotel.

It is stated that Katusabe pleaded to him for rescue from her tormentors, but Mr Baguma asked her to pay the debt before he walked away. She died a few moments later.
He describes talks of him visiting the scene and holding talks with Mr Ssebuwufu as “pure lies”, insisting that the deceased was picked by his deputy, Mr Ronald Mugabi, as he had directed him after receiving a call about a woman who was being beaten at the car bond.

“I never visited that car bond. I never held talks with Ssebuwufu and he has never given me money or bought me a car. These are stories I have been reading in the media and I think were concocted to ensure I am dragged into this case,” Mr Baguma said.

He explains that an hour after his deputy Mr Mugabi had rushed Katusabe to Mulago hospital, he received a call that she had died. He briefed Flying Squad Unit (FSU) commander, Mr Herbert Muhangi, how to help him track Mr Ssebuwufu using a GPS and was later arrested.

“We took him to CPS cells and I gave an order not to be released. I went for an operation at Parliament but at around mid-day, I received a call from Afande Muhangi that the suspect had been released and a mob justice case had been recorded,” he adds.

He said in the file, his seniors had registered that Katusabe had been lynched in Kisekka and dumped at Lumumba Avenue near Pine Car Bond.

Asked on whether he is ready for redeployment, Mr Baguma said he only waits for police leadership to make a decision. He, however, wishes not to be rushed for redeployment so that he can be off public eye since this case has kept him in the limelight.

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