Two Ugandan policemen held for robbing Rwandan businessman

Kabale, (UG):- Police authorities in Kabale District have confirmed that two of its police constables are in police custody over the alleged robbery of a Rwandan businessman at gunpoint. 

The suspects identified as PC Gracious Tusiime, 25, and PC Zechariah  Ekiyankundire, 26, are attached to Katuna Border Police Station in the southwestern Uganda district.

The pair is accused of robbing Thomas Habanabakize,38, a Rwandan national and resident of Rwambu village, Gicumbi district, Northern province in Rwanda on March 1, 2024. 

According to preliminary police findings, it is alleged that the suspects intercepted Habanabakize when he legally crossed to Uganda through the Gatuna-Katuna border with 85,000 Rwandan Francs (approximately Shillings 260,000) on accusations of owning fake currencies.

Habanabakize had crossed to Katuna to buy merchandise for his business in Rwanda. After his arrest, the constables placed their victim at gunpoint and ordered him to surrender all the money he had.

Elly Maate, the police spokesperson for the Kigezi region confirmed the incident saying that based on preliminary investigations, the suspects after robbing their victim ordered him to cross back to Rwanda through the porous border or else they teach him a lesson.

Mr Maate says that upon his return to Rwanda, Habanabakize complained to Rwandan security authorities who contacted their Ugandan counterparts to track the suspects.

He added that the Kabale District Police Commander Joseph Bakaleke and the district officer in charge of criminal investigations Hakim Mukama, visited the scene of the alleged crime. Statements from relevant witnesses were obtained, leading to the subsequent arrest of the accused policemen as investigations into the matter continued.

In the 2023 annual police crime report, police revealed a significant increase in losses due to criminal activities despite a slight decrease in overall crime prevalence during the year.