The Police have laid off Police Constable Steven Mulombo whose gun was used by a fellow police officer Ivan Wabwire to shoot dead an Asian businessman Uttam Bhandari in Kampala.  

Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said that Steven Mulombo was arrested after investigations found out that he had abandoned his gun in the room he shared with Wabwire.

Enanga made the remarks during the weekly press police briefing at the Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala.

The police officer, Steven Mulombo, whose gun was used by another officer, Ivan Wabwire to shoot and kill Uttam Bhandari, an Indian money lender in Kampala, has been punished for negligence and failing to secure his weapon.  

Enanga explained that Mulombo’s summary dismissal is a standard disciplinary measure taken by the Police leadership for officers sanctioned for gross indiscipline and unprofessionalism.

Enanga added that a file has been prepared and sent to the Director of Criminal Investigations for Mulombo tone charged in law courts for neglect of duty.

At the weekend, President Yoweri Museveni issued a statement asking several questions seeking police response in regard to the murder incident on Parliament Avenue in the centre of Kampala city. Some of the President’s questions include: How did an officer who was not on duty access a gun; how are guns stored in the police and did Wabwire walk away from his guard post without permission with a gun to commit a crime?

Meanwhile, the police arrested Ivan Wabwire in Busia Municipality near his village where he had gone into hiding and was trying to cross into Kenya.  He was transferred to CPS Kampala where he awaits trial for murder.

Mary Prima Awor