Suspected attacker of a police officer remanded
Emmanuel Sebuliba Simbwa (R) and left a CCTV video grab that captured him while allegedly attacking the police officer.
A 26-year old boda-boda rider was yesterday remanded on accusations of attacking a female police officer with a hammer during the public protests that followed the arrest of presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, last week.
The suspect, Emmanuel Sebuliba Simbwa, was charged with aggravated robbery before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Last week, videos circulated on social media showing a man with a hammer attacking a policewoman on the streets of Kampala during the protests.
The police alleged that Simbwa is the man shown in the video.
He was charged alongside Godfrey Lubyayi, 35, (a mechanic), Mohammed Semakula, 20, a businessman, and Marvin Ahimbisibwe, 27, a casual worker.
They did not plead to the charges because aggravated robbery is a capital offence tried only by the High Court.
Grade One Magistrate Ketty Joan Acaa remanded the suspects to Kitalya Prison until December 14 for mention of their case.
Prosecution contends that the accused persons and others still at large, on November 18, at Nakivubo Road in Kampala, robbed Assistant Superintendent of Police Consilanta Kasule of her mobile phone and immediately before or after applied violence, causing grievous bodily harm to her.
On November 18, a group of men were captured on video using a hammer to hit Ms Kasule, who was on duty during the protests after Bobi Wine’s arrest on the campaign trail in Luuka District.
Police claim that Simbwa is the gang leader seen in the video tormenting Ms Kasule.
Simbwa is a boda boda rider and a resident of Bweyogerere, Wakiso District. Police say Simbwa’s gang has participated in many similar violent attacks during previous protests in Kampala.
Mr Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy police spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Area, said police, using CCTV cameras in Kampala, tracked and first arrested a one Benson Kasozi, who reportedly led them to his colleagues Rubyayi and Simbwa.
He said upon interrogation, Simbwa admitted to hitting the police officer three times using a hammer during the protests.
