JINJA – Officers at Walukuba Police Station are under fire for allegedly assaulting a 25-year-old, Denis Kitamirike – a resident of Masese III cell in Jinja City to death.
Kitamirike, who was admitted to the emergency unit of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital on Friday night succumbed to head injuries – allegedly inflicted onto him by police officers manning the Walukuba station.
A post-mortem report issued by Jinja Regional Referral hospital indicates that Kitamirike sustained a deep cut on the head, bled profusely, suffered a blood clot in the left part of his brain, ran out of oxygen supply in the rest of the body – a situation that led to his death.
The said officers in plain-closed attires had – hours earlier arrested Kitamirike detaining him at Walukuba on allegations of theft.
Kitamirike’s relatives claimed that the said officers beat the suspect unsparingly before walking him to Walukuba in handcuffs.
Enoch Kabaale – the deceased’s father narrated that he observed as police officers walked his son – in handcuffed – who was bleeding profusely. He revealed that when he asked the policemen what crime his son had committed – he was instructed to follow-up on the matter at the police station.
Kabaale added that when he contacted his other sons to coordinate with the police to ascertain the charge against Kitamirike – he only succeeded in ferrying him to hospital – where he breathed his last.
Mustafa Kagoda – an eyewitness noted that he had pleaded with the police officers to allow him take the deceased to the hospital – and after three hours, he succeeded – but it turned out that timing was late.
Kagoda said that the police officers have since declined to clearly state why Kitamirike, had been detained.
Kiira Regional Police Spokesperson, James Mubi claimed their team had only acted as rescuers – who rushed to save Kitamirike against mob action.
Mubi further alleged that Kitamirike had been handcuffed by area local leaders and a team of intelligence personnel after suspecting him of stealing
He said a team of detective had been dispatched to expedite inquiries pertaining to the source of the handcuffs.
