Policemen charged with theft of goods
Sep 24, 2010
THE Iganga Magistrates’ Court has begun hearing the case in which 17 Police officers and four residents of Nakalama village are charged with theft.
By Fredrick Sooma
THE Iganga Magistrates’ Court has begun hearing the case in which 17 Police officers and four residents of Nakalama village are charged with theft.
The Policemen, who allegedly stole goods worth sh150m from a burning trailer on August 22, are attached to Iganga Police Station and Jinja Fire brigade. The trailer was travelling from Mombasa to Kampala.
Two witnesses, including a traffic officer attached to Iganga Police, on Tuesday testified against the Police suspects facing charges of theft, receiving stolen property and neglect of duty. All the suspects are out on bail.
The Policemen charged include the district Police commander, Gaudencio Okumu. Others are Jucinto Odongo, Emmanuel Oyesi, Edward Opoloti, Kasakya Nuhu, Elizabeth Apoloti and Denise Okwapu.
Some of the residents facing charges of receiving stolen property include Paul Babalanda, Paul Ngobi, Lovisa Babirye and Roy Nakato. All the suspects denied the charges.
Some of the stolen goods, according to prosecution, include computers, beddings, clothes, fridges, electronics, sofa set chairs, tables, and other items belonging to Geoffrey Walusimbi of Kampala.
On reaching Nabusere village on the Bugiri-Iganga highway, the trailer developed a mechanical fault and caught fire.
The Police and residents who came to rescue the situation, after putting off the fire, allegedly broke into the burning container and stole the items, including a car.
Omoro Steven, a witness, told court that when he visited the scene, he found the Policemen fighting the fire.
“I saw Okumu and his colleagues load the goods in a blue Police vehicle and took them to Iganga Police station.â€
Another witness, Miriam Acheng, a clearing agent, said she visited the scene the next day and found no Policeman. “When I went to Iganga Police station, I met Okumu, who told me they saved nothing.â€
A search was mounted and property recovered in the officers’ houses, prompting their arrest. Court was adjourned till Monday, when more witnesses would testify.
THE Iganga Magistrates’ Court has begun hearing the case in which 17 Police officers and four residents of Nakalama village are charged with theft.
The Policemen, who allegedly stole goods worth sh150m from a burning trailer on August 22, are attached to Iganga Police Station and Jinja Fire brigade. The trailer was travelling from Mombasa to Kampala.
Two witnesses, including a traffic officer attached to Iganga Police, on Tuesday testified against the Police suspects facing charges of theft, receiving stolen property and neglect of duty. All the suspects are out on bail.
The Policemen charged include the district Police commander, Gaudencio Okumu. Others are Jucinto Odongo, Emmanuel Oyesi, Edward Opoloti, Kasakya Nuhu, Elizabeth Apoloti and Denise Okwapu.
Some of the residents facing charges of receiving stolen property include Paul Babalanda, Paul Ngobi, Lovisa Babirye and Roy Nakato. All the suspects denied the charges.
Some of the stolen goods, according to prosecution, include computers, beddings, clothes, fridges, electronics, sofa set chairs, tables, and other items belonging to Geoffrey Walusimbi of Kampala.
On reaching Nabusere village on the Bugiri-Iganga highway, the trailer developed a mechanical fault and caught fire.
The Police and residents who came to rescue the situation, after putting off the fire, allegedly broke into the burning container and stole the items, including a car.
Omoro Steven, a witness, told court that when he visited the scene, he found the Policemen fighting the fire.
“I saw Okumu and his colleagues load the goods in a blue Police vehicle and took them to Iganga Police station.â€
Another witness, Miriam Acheng, a clearing agent, said she visited the scene the next day and found no Policeman. “When I went to Iganga Police station, I met Okumu, who told me they saved nothing.â€
A search was mounted and property recovered in the officers’ houses, prompting their arrest. Court was adjourned till Monday, when more witnesses would testify.