IGP summons Omala over Kirumira case

KAMPALA. As police court prepares to deliver its ruling on eight charges faced by former Buyende District police commander Muhammad Kirumira, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Martins Okoth-Ochola, is said to have yesterday summoned Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Omala, who stood surety for him, to discuss his fate.

Sources said Mr Omala arrived at Mr Ochola’s office at midday where the two are said to have discussed the fate of Mr Kirumira as police court is expected to give its ruling today morning.

The IGP reportedly asked Mr Omala, among other things, his relationship with the embattled police officer and on whether he thinks Mr Kirumira was still interested in serving the Uganda Police Force.

“IGP believes [Mr] Omala understands [Mr Kirumira] more than anyone else since he worked with him from the time he was a constable. He wanted to understand whether [Mr] Kirumira has confided in him on his future in the police force,” a source said.
Mr Kirumira walked out on police court on Tuesday after Field Force Unit police officers, who had been deployed to guard court premises, denied him and journalists access to the courtroom.

Speaking to journalists after Mr Kirumira had driven off, police spokesperson Emilian Kayima said police court was to summon Mr Omala to explain why Mr Kirumira dodged court.
Mr Omala could not be reached for a comment. However, deputy police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said Mr Omala held a meeting with police court chairman, Mr Denis Odongpiny.

Mr Odongpiny told Daily Monitor that his court would deliver a ruling today.
“Court will be sitting to give its ruling [today] at 10am. We have finalised [our work] and ready to deliver the ruling,” Mr Odongpiny said.

Mr Kirumira is charged with 30 counts including accusations of extortion, corruption, unlawful arrests, negligence and torture of suspects. However, court dropped 22 counts and is expected to decide on eight remaining counts of corruption and misconduct.

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