Kireka police station commander, Nicholas Muyonjo, has reportedly agreed to refund the stolen cash exhibit worth Shs 17 million belonging to a businessman, Michael Dean Omoit.
Muyonjo was arrested alongside his junior officer detective, Sgt William Kawooya, while another accused police officer, Sgt Joshua Jagule escaped arrest. The trio allegedly stole the $4,700 cash belonging to Omoit who had moved out to meet his friend. The police's Professional Standards Unit (PSU) ordered for the trio's arrest last week.
Omoit told URN that Muyonjo and Kawooya have been released on police bond after they pleaded with him through his lawyer to let them free so that they can refund the money.
"They requested me to allow them get out so that they can raise my money. But also it was their right because they had been in cells for more than 48 hours. They said they would give me back my money today but I haven't heard from them," Omoit said.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, confirmed that Muyonjo and Jagule had been released on bond. A police source said Muyonjo, Jagule and Kawooya will face the police disciplinary Court if they refund the money. The source also says that they risk being dragged to court if they do not raise Omoit's money soon enough.
"They were given police bond. They are likely to appear in our disciplinary court next week," Onyango said.
In his April 10 petition to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) commander, copied to minister of Internal Affairs, inspector general of police, deputy IGP, inspector general of government (IGG), Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and KMP commander, Omoit says the implicated officers had denied knowledge of the money.
However, Omoit says the three agreed to refund his money after he tabled evidence that incriminates them. The evidence was from witnesses and the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage from Palz Food Court in Kireka from where they allegedly shared the money.
"There are two possibilities. One is that they comply and bring back my money or I proceed with the court process. We have all the evidence that incriminates the suspects that including eyewitnesses and CCTV footage," Omoit said.
He said the DPP had returned the file to Kira CID commander to fix some few gaps and it will be taken back if the suspects delay to raise his money.
Last week, police was again in the spotlight over allegations of theft by its officers during the arrest of FDC activists and leaders in Jinja. Footage shows a police officer stealthily pocketing away journalist and activist, Ronald Muyinda's phone as he got bundled unto a police truck.
See @PoliceUg officer on left with a bulletproof grabbing and pocketing Journalist @RonaldMuhinda's phone.
— Samwise Gamgee (@Sambannz) April 14, 2019
Police motto: "To serve and Protect"
Afande @OkothOchola1 how is this called?? pic.twitter.com/VkE0MOAV3H
Back in 2016, Kawempe Criminal Investigations commander Wilberforce Wamanya and the disbanded Flying Squad operative Ivan Musiimenta, were arrested on allegations of exchanging genuine $12,000 notes exhibits with fake ones.
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