Relatives of late Kampala business woman Donnah Katusabe are enraged after Justice Mike Chibita, the Director of Public Prosecutions-DPP dropped murder charges against Aaron Baguma, the former Kampala Divisional Police Commander.
Led by Katusabe’s brother, a one Kule Maurice, the relatives were left in awe when the State Prosecutor, Alex Ojok handed over the DPP's December 21st, 2017 letter to Justice Flavia Angeline Senoga of the High Court this morning.
The troubled police boss has been battling the charges of murdering businesswoman Betty Dinah Katushabe together with eight others including Muhammad Ssebuwufu, the proprietor of Pine Car bond, Godfrey Kayiza, Philip Mirambe, Stephen Lwanga, Paul Tasingika, Yoweri Kitayimba, Shaban Otuddu and Damaseni Ssentongo.
Katusabe was tortured to death at the car bond in 2016 for alleged failure to clear the balance of Shillings 9 million for a vehicle she bought from the bond. It was alleged that Baguma went to the bond where she found Katushabe being tortured and asked her to pay off the debt instead of saving her from the irate mob led by Muhammed Ssebuwufu.
It's from that act of misconduct that the Director of Public Prosecutions stated that Baguma was criminally liable for neglecting his duty as a Police Officer. However, the DPP has now invoked his powers and dropped the charges against Baguma. "By the powers entrusted in my office by law to discontinue criminal proceedings against any accused person, I hereby drop charges of murder against the accused Aaron Baguma, "reads the letter in part.
The withdrawal of the charges against Baguma comes barely a month after prosecution told court that they didn't have Baguma's case file relating to the murder charges. The accused had appeared in court to plead to the charges. There has been a stalemate between the DPP and police over the trial of Baguma who was interdicted early last year following public outrage.
The Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura was out rightly opposed to the prosecution of Baguma. He ran to the media accusing the DPP of witch hunting an officer who had helped to save an investigation, which other officers were trying to push under the rags.
However, the DPP insisted on the prosecution of Baguma, saying he witnessed the torture of Katushabe, which led to her death. But records of Baguma's phone provided by Police place him at Kololo airstrip, where the president was holding a youth function.
There was also evidence that Baguma had called the Officer in Charge of Kampala Central Police Station a few minutes before Katuahabe was killed asking him to respond to information that someone was being tortured at Pine Car Bond, a few meters from the station.
Kule told Howwe.biz that they did not expect Baguma to be released today, but rather a fair hearing and justice for their sister.
Kule says they were surprised when Justice Senoga read the letter from Mr. Kibita. He now believes God will fight for his late sister’s justice, as their hands are now tied.