Pine murder: Kampala DPC cell-phone print-out under scrutiny

By Simon Masaba & Andrew Ssenyonga

The Police have embarked on analysing cellular technical data to prove whether the Kampala Central Police boss, Aaron Baguma was at the scene of crime where a business woman, Dona Betty Katushabe was tortured to her death.

This followed a directive from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) to the Police’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) to charge Baguma over Katushabe’s murder.

Katushabe was allegedly tortured to death at the hands of Mohammed Ssebuwufu, the Pine car bond dealer along Lumumba Avenue in Nakasero, Kampala.

She died moments later after she was rushed to Mulago hospital on a police patrol car.

Quoting the Police chief, Gen. Kale Kayihura, Enanga said, “Baguma was being victimised by police officers who first handled the case file and attempted to conceal evidence before he (Baguma) reported the matter to high ranking officers in the force.”

Kayihura said that Baguma reporting the matter does not exonerate him from wrong doing. He however asked for a thorough investigation to clear the air, thereby instructing the Professional Standards Unit to probe all officers linked to the murder for justice to prevail.

Enanga said Baguma recorded a statement at the CID headquarters in Kibuli, a city suburb. The investigation is led by the deputy CID chief, Godfrey Musana.

“He (Baguma) will still retain his office until investigations are complete,” Enanga said, adding that, the Police were working closely with the DPP on the matter.

Sources privy to investigations alleged that Baguma had knowledge of Katushabe’s torture.

He reportedly visited the scene at Pine, where he saw the deceased bleeding and never rescued her despite pleadings from the deceased.

So far five suspects have been arrested, charged and sent on remand to Luzira prison in connection with the murder, among them Ssebuwuufu. 

Last month, Buganda road grade one Magistrate, Flavia Nabakooza sent Ssebuwufu, 32, a resident of Kiwatule-Ntinda and three others on remand to Luzira Prison over Katushabe's death. Ssebuwufu was charged with murder.

Ssebuwufu and his accomplices; Godfrey Kayiza, 32; Philip Mirambe, 30, a Congolese national; Stephen Lwanga, 50, and Paul Tigasingika also face charges of aggravated robbery.

They allegedly stole Katushabe’s phone worth sh300, 000 and are accused of torture.

Details emerging from the Police indicate that Katushabe was tortured and coerced to issue a post-dated cheque, according to a police report.

A statement from one of the witnesses, featuring in the report revealed that during the torture while in Ssebuwufu’s office, Katushabe forcefully issued a cheque No-161560 with a face value of sh4.5m.

The cheque was dated October 30, this year, issued to Ssebuwufu, according to document that the New Vision has seen with case reference number CRB 1471/2015 of CPS, signed by the homicide chief, Monday Johnson.

The Police report reveals that Katushabe had earlier been arrested from her home at Bwebajja village-Entebbe road on October 21 at 8:00am.

The records reveal that Katushabe bought the car from Ssebuwufu and had an outstanding balance of sh9m.