By Benson Tumusiime
The two police officers who allegedly killed and injured scores of rioters in Mityana on Sunday will face murder charges and attempted murder, the Inspector General of Police, Martins Okoth Ochola said on Monday.
The protesters were challenging the arrest and alleged torture of Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake in the violent Arua by-election campaigns.
Mr. Ochola revealed that while police was handling these riots, an innocent citizen, Samuel Ssekiziyivu, a resident of Myanzi, Kassanda District was shot dead. He was travelling in a commuter taxi registration Number UBA 869C in which other five people were also injured.
The injured ones are Mr. Jjingo Lawrence, Ms. Jalia Nakiryowa, Mr. Ssengooba Derrick, Mr. Muwonge Reagan and Mr. Asiimwe David. They received medical attention at Mityana hospital and Mr. Ssengooba Derrick was discharged last evening. The other four have since been referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for further medical attention.
The IGP said: The killing of Mr. Ssekiziyivu and the injury to the other five are regrettable and unacceptable. In the same vein, members of the public are reminded to desist from such riots because they are unacceptable, unlawful and criminal.
‘’We promise to investigate this matter to its logical conclusion. So far we have established that two police officers namely; No. 36334 CPL Kefa Moshi and No. 54214 PC Cheptai Morris at the scene discharged their guns and are being investigated on the offence of murder and attempted murder in relationship to the incident. They will be produced in court to answer the charges once investigations are complete.’’ IGP Ochola said.
The IGP said 23 suspects were arrested in riot in Mityana town. He revealed suspects will be screened, fully investigated and those culpable will be taken to court for prosecution on the offences of inciting violence, threatening violence, unlawful assembly and malicious damage to property. We condemn riots in totality.
He cautioned members of the public to desist from violent confrontations and acts that violate the law. ‘‘It is high time we all learnt to resolve conflicts, if any, amicably and peacefully.’’ he said.
