Police Officers Arrested for Torturing Suspect to Death

Two police officers attached to Buwenge Central Police Station have been arrested for allegedly torturing a suspect, Paulo Gusango to death.

It is alleged that Gusango’s wife, Sharifah Katono fled from their home located in Kibundaile village, in Namagera town council, in Jinja district after a domestic brawl.

Katono then settled at her parents’ home in Kalebera East village, in Buwenge sub-county, in Jinja district, from where she ganged with her brothers and filed a case of assault against Gusango.

On receiving information about the case, Gusango opted for a peaceful settlement to resolve the matter, however, when he arrived at his in-laws’ home they instead summoned police officers to arrest him.

After sighting police in the compound, Gusango fled into hiding for fear of being reprimanded.

However, the police officers embarked on the search for Gusango who was found hiding in a nearby private forest reserve. They allegedly rounded him up and beat him unsparingly, before dumping him in police cells at Buwenge CPS.

After close to three hours in detention, Gusango’s condition started deteriorating, forcing the police to contact his father.

Ronald Guloba says that the police contacted him at around 7:00pm and Gusango was taken to Teso clinic.  Guloba adds that Gusango’s situation worsened, prompting them to take him to Buwenge General Hospital where he died on Thursday.

Guloba believes that his son could have succumbed to torture injuries inflicted on him by the police officers.

A police officer attached to Buwenge police station who spoke to us on condition of anonymity says that the suspects took advantage of the absence of the Buwenge division commander to clear blood stains from the police cells, which would serve as key pieces of evidence.

He also says that Gusango’s relatives were able to meet with the top police commanders in Buwenge, who resolved to arrest the policemen over torture claims.

The Kiira regional police commander, James Mubi confirms the duo’s arrest and detention at Buwenge central police station.

Mubi further says that detectives have been dispatched to hunt down Gusango’s in-laws who are equally accused of participating in his killing.

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