Police Officer Who Killed Money Lender Charged, Remanded

The Ugandan policeman who shot and killed a money lender of Indian descent at Raja Chambers on Parliamentary Avenue in Kampala last week has been charged with murder and remanded to Luzira Prison.

Police Constable Ivan Wabwire, 30, of Central Police Station Barracks, appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Sarah Tusiime on Wednesday and was charged with murder. 

She declined to hear his plea since the case against him is capital and can only be considered in High Court.

"This court has no jurisdiction to hear your case so you will not be allowed to say anything. In the circumstances you will be remanded until June 7 for the mention of your case," Tusiime noted.

According to the prosecution, Wabwire unlawfully killed Uttam Bhandari on May 12 at Raja Chambers along Parliamentary Avenue in Kampala District with malice aforethought.

The court heard that investigations are still ongoing, but would be completed soon pending a mental state check on the accused.

PC Wabwire was apprehended on Sunday while attempting to reach the Kenyan border at Busia.

After a brief exchange, PC Wabwire fires multiple shots at Bhandari at close range, according to evidence recovered from the crime scene.

The other employees at the office were spotted fleeing for their lives.

TFS Financial Services' director was Bhandari.

Police verified that the officer assigned to Kampala Central Police Station was repaying an Shs2,130,000 loan obtained from TFS Financial Services in 2020.