Kampala, (UG): The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded to Luzira Prison a police officer charged with stealing a motorcycle which had been impounded and parked at Central Police Station in Kampala.
The policeman identified as PC Ahabwe Michael who after committing the crime deserted from CPS Kampala is accused of stealing a Bajaj motorcycle valued at Shs5 million belonging to Walusimbi Samuel, a boda boda rider in the city centre.
According to a police statement by KMP Deputy Spokesperson Mr Luke Owoyesigyire, Walusimbi’s motorcycle had been impounded during a normal traffic enforcement operation, where PC Ahabwe, the officer on duty was tasked to deliver it at the CPS yard, which he did not.
“The suspect disappeared from CPS Kampala and was declared a police deserter,” said Mr Owoyesigyire, adding that “while in his hiding in Mbarara, he joined SGA Security Company, as a security guard and his first deployment was on the 20th January 2024 at the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd.”
After 18 days at his new workstation, Ahabwe was again arrested on the 16th of this month (February), this time for stealing metallic rail bars, used in electricity infrastructure.
Owoyesigyire spoke regretfully of Ahabwe’s acts saying; “such acts of robbery and theft by current or former police officers, are a disgrace to the force.”
“It is so shameful when a police officer exploits their position of power for personal gain because it erodes public trust in the force and tarnishes the reputation of the other 50,000 police officers, who honorably serve and protect Ugandans each day,” he added.
“We will continue to rid the force, of such rogue officers and we are also sharing his images so that if there are any persons victimized by him, they can come forward and report/register their complaints at KMP Headquarters at CPS Kampala.”
Ahabwe appears before court
On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Ahabwe, who is attached to Amolatar Police Station and a resident of its barracks or Andrew’s Village in Kakiika Ward in Mbarara District, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Sienna Owomugisha who read the charge of theft to him.
Despite denying the charge slapped against him, Magistrate Owomugisha did not allow him to take a plea and remanded him to Luzira Prison until March 11, 2024, after he failed to get his sureties for a bail attempt.
“You have a right to apply for bail. The case is bailable by this court. Since you do not have sureties in court, and the investigations are still ongoing, the case is adjourned to March 11 and you are remanded until then,” the Magistrate held.
According to court records, Ahabwe impounded the said motorcycle from Equatorial Mall during routine traffic enforcement and was due to take it to the Central Police Station parking Yard.
However, he failed to fulfill the task that was given to him thus disappearing and was declared a police deserter.
If convicted of the charges, PC Ahabwe faces a maximum punishment of ten years imprisonment upon conviction for the offence of theft under the Ugandan law.
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