Police officer arrested trying to sell gun

By Simon Masaba and Jeff Lule 

Security operatives have transferred Hamza Kayongo to Kampala for questioning after he was nabbed trying to sell a gun in Nazigo, Kayunga district.

Kayongo, a senior Police officer attached to the Field Force Unit in Naguru, is also facing charges of gun trafficking.

Kayunga district Police Commander Kelly Kinene has, however, declined to comment on the matter.

“All I can say is he was picked up by security officers and taken to Kampala,” he said.

Kayongo, a superintendent of Police was on Saturday arrested while allegedly trying to sell a shortgun. 

Addressing journalists at the Police weekly press briefing at the Central Police Station in Kampala on Monday, Lamek Kigozi, the Central East Police spokesperson, said Kayongo was acting as a middleman.  The Police also refuted allegations that Kayongo had clients in South Sudan.  

According to Police investigations, the gun belongs to Stanislaus Sajjabi who had contacted Kayongo to help him sell it off.

“We have the gun. Kayongo was supposed to contact the DPC as the head of security in the area before doing anything,” he noted.

Kigozi said Kayongo was arrested shortly after approaching a private security guard, who alerted the Police. 

“After their discussion, the security guard went and informed the Police. The guard later returned with Police officers who arrested Kayongo. They also carried out another search and found a pistol at his home,” he said.

Kigozi also noted that the pistol which was recovered at his house belonged to him legally as an officer and it was registered. 

He said Kayongo had been transferred to the Oil and Gas Unit where he was preparing to relocate.

Kigozi said they are also going to summon the owner of gun for questioning.