Police in Mbarara has suspended four of its own officers who disrupted a wedding at Kakiika Technical Institute.
The officers participated in the arrest of the bride, Christine Natuhwera, at her wedding reception.
According to Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, the officers act as a nuisance in public.
“They arrested the bride at around 8 pm, on sanctioned charges of theft of Shs8 million. They drove her to the police station in Mbarara, where she was detained,” said Enanga.
It is reported that on July 6, a one Mirembe Henry, the former employer of the bride, Christine Natuhwere, who was working for him as a bank agent, for Centenary Bank, at BNK building, high street in Mbarara city, opened a case of theft of Shs8 million against her.
According to Enanga, the matter was investigated and the case file was submitted to the Resident State Attorney, Mbarara, on July 18, who advised the parties to seek a civil remedy.
“However, on August 5, the file was called by the Regional DPP, following a petition from the complainant. He re-perused the case file and sanctioned the charges of the theft against the suspect on August 11. The case file was returned to the police on August 19,” he explained.
It is alleged that the following day the officers in collusion with the complainant decided to go and arrest the suspect.
“They placed her in the complainant’s vehicle and drove her to the police station, where she was detained. The arrest was disgraceful in front of the groom, family, friends, guests, and in-laws. It turned out that what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life ended in a nightmare,” said Enanga.
He added, “Although it’s a duty of an officer, to effect the arrest and produce suspects in court on sanctioned criminal charges, in this very matter, the action of the officers was reprehensible and based on poor judgement.”
Four officers have since been suspended, and these include: Sgt Richard Ngabirano, DC Adio Caroline, DC Muganyizi Atugonza, and DC Ayesiga Morris.
The group has also been charged with discreditable conduct, which upon conviction, warrants dismissal from the force.
So far, one suspect, Sgt. Ngabirano Richard, has been arrested and is in custody, while the other 3 officers are still in hiding, according to Enanga.