Katuna, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Two Uganda Police Constables stationed at Katuna Border Police Station in Kabale district find themselves in legal jeopardy over allegations of robbing a Rwandan businessman at gunpoint. The implicated officers are identified as Police Constables Gracious Tusiime, 25, and Zechariah Ekiyankundire, 26.
The charges stem from an incident on March 1, 2024, when the suspects allegedly accosted Thomas Habanabakize, a 38-year-old Rwandan national residing in Rwambu village, Gicumbi district, Northern province, Rwanda.
Reportedly, Habanabakize had legally crossed into Uganda through the Gatuna-Katuna border, carrying 85,000 Rwandan Francs (approximately Shillings 260,000). The Uganda Police officers allegedly confronted him, accusing him of possessing counterfeit currency.
Habanabakize, who had ventured into Katuna for business purposes, was reportedly detained by the Constables. At gunpoint, the officers purportedly demanded that he surrender all the money in his possession.
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Elly Maate, the police spokesperson for the Kigezi region, confirmed the incident, stating that preliminary investigations suggest the Constables not only robbed the victim but also instructed him to return to Rwanda through the porous border under threat of reprisals.
Upon his return to Rwanda, Habanabakize lodged a complaint with Rwandan security authorities, prompting them to liaise with their Ugandan counterparts.
This cross-border collaboration resulted in the apprehension of the two accused Constables, signaling the initiation of legal proceedings against them.
