Senior police officers' drug case adjourned again

Entebbe chief magistrate Mary Kaitesi further adjourned the hearing of six suspended Aviation Police (AVIPOL) officers' case to March 19, after prosecution said inquiries into the case were not complete.

However, Edward Mutakirwa of Majoli, Bogere, Mutakirwa Advocates representing the accused,  during hearing on Monday complained before court over its delay to hear the case since last year.

"We are being disadvantaged by this trial because it seems the state is not interested in having this case heard and there are no disclosures made to us so far," he said. 

In response, Tuhirwe told court that the state would provide the information to the defense side.

"We pray that court takes cognizance that the suspects were paraded in court while the Directorate of Public Prosecution's office was in industrial action but we do undertake to disclose to the accused," asserted Tuhirwe.

Kaitesi also warned that the prosecution's side must have  sufficient evidence on March 19, or else the file will be closed. "I won't tolerate this issue of unending investigations," warned the chief magistrate.

The Six senior Police officers were first arraigned before Entebbe chief magistrates' court and charged with destroying evidence contrary to section 102 of the penal code act, in November last year.

Among the accused is the Commandant of the elite Very Important Persons Protection Unit (VIPPU) Lodovic Awita who was the former head of the narcotics department in the Uganda Police Force.

Others are; ASP Natalis Imoly who was the Officer in charge of crime intelligence at the Aviation police, AIP Micheal Ssemuwemba, Sgt. David Owiny, Sgt. Deogratious Muhebwa and Sgt. Julius Mwesigwa.

Prosecution alleges that between 2013 and 2015 while working at the Aviation police station in Entebbe, knowing that narcotic drugs may be required in judicial proceedings, the accused destroyed it with intent to prevent it from being used in evidence. Prosecution also stated the quantity of destroyed narcotics as 34.5Kg.

On why it took two years for the suspected officers to be apprehended, the former police spokesperson Asan Kasingye earlier said, investigations into the matter were complex and required ample time.

"Some of these investigations are so scientific. To find out how many kilograms belonged to each of these officers and getting to the bottom of this case, is not something you can rush," said Kasingye earlier before changing docket.