Reported by Kerry Howard Mwesigwa
On May 14th, 2023, PC Ivan Wabwire was apprehended in Busia Municipality by a joint team of police officers led by DPC Busia SP Didas Byaruhanga. The Ugandan police officer had been on the run for two days after allegedly shooting and killing Uttam Bhandari, an Indian money lender and director of TFS Financial Services in Kampala.
The tragic incident occurred on May 12th, 2023, at Raja Chambers along Parliamentary Avenue. This tragedy was preceded by another shooting incident on May 2nd, 2023, where a soldier, Pte Wilson Sabiiti, shot and killed government minister Charles Okello Engola, whom he was guarding, before turning the gun on himself. On May 6th, 2023, self-styled vlogger and president of Ugandan bloggers, Ibrahim Tusubira, aka Isma Places, was also shot dead in Kyanja central zone and was the fourth death from a shooting in Kampala in just 10 days indicating a growing trend of gun violence in the city.
Video footage retrieved from the crime scene shows PC Wabwire firing multiple bullets at Mr Bhandari at close range after a brief discussion. The other people who were in the office at the time of the incident were seen running for their lives.
Currently, No.67029 PC Wabwire is being held at Busia Police Station. Police have confirmed that the suspect had a history of mental illness and had been admitted to Butabika Hospital twice before the incident. In 2018, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm for six years due to his condition. Questions have however been raised as to why the Police were quick to attribute the incident to the mental status of the suspect without first subjecting him to a thorough medical examination before making a conclusion.
According to police reports, PC Wabwire had acquired a loan of Shs 2,130,000 from TFS Financial Services in 2020 but had been experiencing difficulties agreeing on a repayment plan with the lender. This reportedly led to a dispute, which culminated in the shooting. The suspect allegedly stole the gun used in the shooting from a fellow police officer and roommate, Steven Mulambo, who is also in police custody.
The incident raises concerns about how the mental health issues of armed personnel are addressed by the government. The growing trend and incidents of gun violence have sparked outrage and concern, with many questioning how the government regulates access to firearms within its establishments.
If determined to be of sound mind, PC Wabwire could face charges under Section 188 of the Penal Code Act of Uganda, which criminalizes murder as an unlawful killing of another person with malice aforethought. Additionally, he could be charged under Section 254 of the Penal Code Act, which prohibits theft of firearms.
