Wanted Baguma turns self in, sent to jail

What you need to know:

Mr Baguma is accused of having gone to Pine Car Bond, just a few metres away from CPS, where he found the late Donah Betty Katusabe, at a car depot in Kampala being beaten and despite her pleading to him for help from her tormentors, he asked her to pay up the Shs9m debt to the car bond boss Muhammed Ssebuwufu, over a vehicle she had bought. It is said Baguma then disappeared and Katusabe was killed by her tormentors shortly after.

KAMPALA.

Wanted former Kampala Central police station commander Aaron Baguma, on Tuesday voluntarily and secretly surrendered himself to Buganda Road Court where he was formally charged in connection with the murder of businesswoman Donah Betty Katusabe before being sent on remand at Kigo prison.

The court had on August 18, issued a warrant of arrest for the elusive senior officer after he dodged court that day. Court had given Mr Baguma up to tomorrow to be arrested by any member of the public and the police by tomorrow and bring him to court.

Dressed in civilian clothes, Baguma appeared before Grade One Magistrate Joan Acio at around 2pm.

Since murder charge is capital in nature, Mr Baguma was not allowed to plead to the same charge that is only tried by the High Court. Court only just read for him the charges before remanding him.

Mr Baguma and the remaining co-accused, who have not yet been committed to the High Court to face trial, are expected back in court tomorrow for mention of their case.

BACKGROUND

Mr Baguma is accused of having gone to Pine Car Bond, just a few metres away from CPS, where he found the late Donah Betty Katusabe, at a car depot in Kampala being beaten and despite her pleading to him for help from her tormentors, he asked her to pay up the Shs9m debt to the car bond boss Muhammed Ssebuwufu, over a vehicle she had bought. It is said Baguma then disappeared and Katusabe was killed by her tormentors shortly after.

The DPP holds that Mr Baguma is criminally liable for failing to protect life as is his obligation under the constitution when he just looked away when the deceased pleaded with him to rescue her from the assailants.

Prosecution contends that late last year, the suspects while using sticks and a machete, beat Katusabe to death for failure to clear the Shs9m debt which was a balance on a car she had bought from Ssebuwufu’s car depot. Besides murder which attracts up to a maximum penalty of death, Mr Baguma faces another serious charge of kidnap with intent to murder.