The Uganda Police disciplinary court setting in Masaka city has dismissed two police officers accused of extortion that led to the death of a boda-boda rider by setting himself ablaze.
The court chaired by ASP David Manzi listened to witnesses who accused Sgt Julius Ewalu,a traffic officer and Sgt Ibrahim Ssesanga who was acting officer in charge of traffic at Masaka Central Police Station of soliciting bribes to release their motorcycles and vehicles in case they are impounded.
Hajji Noordin Byakatonda, one of the prosecution witnesses, pinned Ewalu for soliciting a bribe of Shs100,000 from him after impounding his car during curfew hours. He told court that after giving the money to Ewalu, he released his vehicle.
Another witness, Yasin Kalyango told court that the same Ewalu demanded Shs40,000 to release his son’s bicycle which had been impounded.
Masaka Regional (PPSU) officer, Mr David Turyasingura, told court that he received complaints from both Kalyango and Byakatonda accusing Ewalu of soliciting money from them but when he summoned him, he denied the allegations.
It is against that background that court decided to dismiss Sgt Julius Ewalu and Sgt Ibrahim Ssesanga out of Uganda Police force due to their unethical acts. The duo was however given 14 days to make an appeal in case they feel that the judgement wasn’t fair to them.
Walugembe burnt himself in Ssesanga’s office, after failing to convince him to return his motorcycle registration number UDL 591L which had been impounded by a traffic officer Julius Ewalu for allegedly operating beyond curfew time. The Police officer allegedly suspected that the bodaboda was being used to transport passengers.