Fort Portal Police Officer In charge, Five Others Arrested Over Stolen Gun

By Steven Ainganiza

Police in Fort Portal have arrested six suspects, including the Officer In charge Hakibaale Police Post over loss of a gun.

Hamis Kayondo, the Rwenzori West Deputy Regional Police Spokesperson says the AK47 rifle was stolen from the In charge Sergeant David Nkwangu on December 3, 2019. The gun was stolen from the officer’s house.

Since then a search was mounted for the gun only to be recovered from an unnamed family in Kibasi, Hakibaale Subcounty on Monday night.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, Steven Asiimwe, the Kabarole Resident District Commissioner said they have detained six suspects whose names are still withheld including the OC in connection to the stolen gun. He suspects the rifle was to be used in criminal acts during this festive season.

According to Faustine John Oese, the Kabarole District Police Commander, the gun was recovered with the help of vigilant community members. The gun recovery comes just a day after Defence Minister Adolf Mwesige warned of arrest and license revoking for individuals and private security companies without fingerprinted guns.

Addressing members of the Kabarole district security team on Monday, Mwesige said all those owning non-fingerprinted guns by end of the year 2019 will be arrested for illegal possession of firearms and their possession licenses revoked.

He revealed that the gun fingerprinting exercise which is already underway in some parts of the country, is in line with the national security master plan issued by President Yoweri Museveni, for enhanced security in the wake of acts of gun violence, which has seen shooting of prominent Ugandans.

Among those killed included former Police Spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi, Former Arua Municipality Legislator Ibrahim Abiriga and former Buyende District Police Commander Mohammad Kirumira among others. They were shot by assassins moving on motorcycles.