Murder of MP's guard: What exactly happened?

MURDER |

Was it a case of mistaken identity? Was the deceased a wanted criminal? Did he resist arrest? Is it possible that Police officers could not identify an MP's car in which the victim was seated?

Circumstances surrounding the murder of Ivan Kakayi, the bodyguard of Busia Municipality legislator Godfrey Macho, in a church compound on Sunday, has raised many questions.

He was reportedly killed by Police detectives attached to the Police's Flying Squad Unit (FSU) and crime intelligence.

Eye witness accounts described seeing a callous cold blood murder of a man who was found seated in a car known to be the official car of the legislator.

Three armed men in plain clothes approached Macho's vehicle, which had occupants, including Kakayi.

"They asked Kakayi, who was seated in the co-driver's seat to identify himself. As he picked his identity card, one of the Police officers pulled out his pistol and shot him," an eyewitness said.

In the process, Kakayi jumped out of the car and attempted to run away, but was followed and gunned down at close range. He fell down and died instantly.

I was the target — MP Macho

MP Macho put a twist to the murder with claims that he believes he was the target of the murder and the guard was a mistaken identity because he was dressed like him.

While eulogising his bodyguard, Macho said: "He took my bullets. He switched to my seat in the front (co-driver) and eight minutes later, I heard gunshots, while in church. I was the target. He wore a jacket similar to mine. The killers mistook Kakayi for me," Macho said.

Asked to substantiate why he would be a target of elimination, Macho said: "I first noticed that we were being trailed by men on motorcycles last Thursday, but never reported the matter to the Police. I trusted my security - the only reason I did not report. For the past one year that I spent with him (Kakayi), he has been loyal," Macho said.

Explaining how he acquired a bodyguard attached to Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), Macho said it followed the assassination of former Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga, by assailants as he approached his home in Kawanda, Wakiso district.

"We were asked to apply for guards and I did," Macho said.

Speaking to New Vision shortly after the incident, the District Police Commander, Moses Kakiryo, said the officer-in-charge of FSU had been arrested over the incident. He, however, remained tight-lipped on details surrounding the incident.

Kakayi, who hails from Namisindwa district, was gunned down in the compound of Divine Deliverance healing Centre, Busia. The Kisenyi village chairperson, George Barasa, said the incident could be interpreted in so many ways, especially during this campaign period.

The area mayor, Hassan Bwire Opio, said Kakiryo, needs to reign in his officers

It was a case of false intelligence — Police

However, sources in Police say the murder was a case of false intelligence gone bad.

"About two days ago, Police got information that there was a man moving with a gun and was suspected to be a robber. Basing on this information a team trailed him until he was gunned down," the source in Police said.

The officers accused of the murder are detective Assistant Superintendent of Police, Patrick Javuru and Corporal Chelogoi, attached to the Police's Flying Squad Unit (FSU) and Crime Intelligence, respectively. They have since been arrested.

The duo face murder charges over the shooting of Kakayi, attached to the UPDF's Military Police.


Probe commences

The Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) spokesperson, Charles Mansio Twiine, said investigations into the murder of Kakayi had started.

"Two officers — Javuru and Chelogoi — allegedly shot the deceased whom they found in

the vehicle registration number UBF 119X Toyota Harrier, white in colour, parked with two more occupants," Twine said. The officers are still in Police custody.

"Kakayi was shot one bullet while still in the car and several others as he tried to run away," Twiine said.

According to Twiine, the suspects claim they had received an intelligence report that the occupants of the vehicle were robbers. When they were approached and interrogated,

the deceased drew a gun, which prompted Chelogoi to shoot him.

"Two guns, (pistols of our officers) and an SMG for the deceased have all been retrieved and exhibited accordingly. Yesterday, a homicide team from CID headquarters, led by homicide chief Monday Johnson Agaba was dispatched to Busia," he said.