There is serious fury from residents of Kamuganguzi Sub County in Kabale District, after the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Denis Nzeirwe and District Police Commander, Dickens Bindeeba released a prime murder suspect.
Residents accuse the duo of conniving to release a one God Kabateraine, a prominent businessman in Kabale District who was picked up together with his son Norman Atuheire in connection with the death of Wilson Karisokye, the former chairperson of Rushebeya village in Buranga parish.
It is reported that Karisokye was hacked to death by unknown people on September 24, 2017. The assailants chopped off Karisokye's private parts and took off with them. Prior to his gruesome murder, Karisokye was feuding with Kabateraine over land.
However, police picked up Kabateraine as a prime suspect but released him a week later. It is also said that the RDC and DPC assigned Kabateraine guards for fear that residents would lynch them. Residents are now accusing the two officials of pocketing bribes from the suspects to let him go scot-free.
Earlier this week, the Kigezi Deputy Region Police Commander, Joseph Kato, Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, Ely Maate and Kabale District Chairperson, Patrick Besigye Keihwa met residents at Jonan Lumum Kamuganguzi Play ground to calm the situation.
Justus Tindimurekura, the Buranga Parish Chairperson explained that when Kabatereine and his son were arrested, the Resident District Commissioner, Darias Nandiinda assured them that they will not be released until court decides their fate. He however, says that to their dismay the duo was released a week after their arrest.
Tindimurekura added that police gave the suspect guards he uses to threaten residents.
A concerned resident, Loyce Twebaze says they were happy when the prime suspect was arrested hoping that justice will prevail, but their joy was short-lived. Twebaze says the release of the suspect without arraigning him in court is very annoying.
But, the Kabale District Police Commander, Dickens Bindeeba dismissed claims that they were bribed by the suspect. He however explained that they released Kabatereine after the Directorate of Public Prosecutions-DPP dropped charges against him. Apparently, the DPP only sanctioned the file of Norman Atuheire who is currently on remand in Ndorwa Government Prison.
Also, the Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Denis Nzeirwe refuted the accusations of bribery leveled against them by residents claiming that residents approached his office for explanation and were turned away, saying the accusations were only aimed at tarnishing his] image.
The Kabale District Chairperson, Patrick Besigye Keihwa faulted the security officials for rushing to release the prime suspect.