Two police officers arrested over murder

At least four people, including two senior police officers have been arrested in connection with the killing of a man, Robert Ogwal, in Amolatar District.
The suspects identified as the Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Julius Casar Otema, along with Gervasio Byamugisha (number 22167), were arrested on Monday following the New Year incident at Kayago landing site, Namasale Sub-county.
The North Kyoga regional police spokesperson, Mr David Ongom Mudong, confirmed the arrest.
He said the two police officers have tentatively been charged with murder, while the civilians are charged with arson and inciting violence.
All the four suspects are being held at Amolatar Central Police Station as investigations continue.
It is alleged that on January 1, 2017, the police, who were on patrol at around 7pm, met a group of people who were attempting to stage some kind of riot around Kayago landing site police post.
The Amolatar District Police Commander, Mr Isabirye Gerald, then ordered for the withdrawal of his men from the ugly scene. This was after the group had started burning papyrus near the police post. However, the police disobeyed their boss.
The same group of rioters allegedly followed a crime preventer, one Judith Acan, from a nearby church and confronted her. The crime preventer was among hundreds of people who were praying at the church located near the police post.
After the confrontation, the rioters allegedly burnt down Ms Acan’s grass-thatched hut.
Alarmed by the situation, the police fired and shot dead an innocent person in the process of dispersing the group.
“That is why we have arrested the two (police officers) to help in investigations,” the police spokesperson told Daily Monitor on Tuesday.