Kampala, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | The Uganda Police has provided information regarding the tracking and apprehension of Dr. Mathew Kirabo, a fugitive who had been on the run since 2015 after allegedly killing his lover, Desire Mirembe, who was a medical student at Makerere University at the time. Interpol in Kenya played a pivotal role in his arrest.
Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga confirmed Kirabo’s capture, revealing that he had evaded authorities for several years until his arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Enanga stated in a police announcement on Wednesday that Interpol Kenya identified and arrested Kirabo based on a Red Notice issued by Interpol Uganda.
“As you are all aware, the accused jumped bail during the Mukono High Court trial for the murder of Desire Mirembe, who was allegedly killed on July 10, 2015, with her body found in Lugazi sugarcane plantations,” Enanga added.
Following Kirabo’s conviction and subsequent disappearance, a warrant of arrest was processed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID). This warrant was then handed over to Interpol Uganda to locate and provisionally apprehend the fugitive. Kirabo was declared a fugitive, added to the Interpol Database of wanted individuals, and a Red Notice was issued in November 2021. Interpol had been monitoring his movements until his arrest in 2023.
Background to the case:
Desire Mirembe, aged 19, was reportedly murdered by her boyfriend, Mathew Kirabo, on July 10, 2015, with her body discovered in Lugazi sugarcane plantations in Buikwe district on July 11, 2015. Kirabo confessed to the murder and was charged at Jinja High Court before being remanded at Nalufenya prison in Jinja.
The case was transferred to Mukono High Court on the instructions of the principal judge at the time, Yorokamu Bamwine, due to the crime’s jurisdiction.
On October 6, 2021, the High Court in Mukono finally began hearing the case after a six-year delay. On November 3, 2021, Kirabo fled from court, leading the state to request that his sureties pay a fine of Shs 50 Million each. The trial proceeded in his absence.
What’s next for Kirabo?
Following the completion of formalities, Enanga stated that Kirabo would be handed over to Interpol Uganda and then delivered to the High Court in Mukono, with cooperation from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the CID at Kampala Metropolitan Police Headquarters.
Enanga praised the diligent efforts of Kenyan International Police (Interpol) in capturing the fugitive and emphasized the strong relationship between law enforcement agencies in Uganda and Kenya. He also highlighted the value of bilateral agreements in holding individuals accountable for alleged criminal actions.
Police noted that Interpol Uganda, Kenya, and their global partner agencies are committed to ensuring that individuals wanted for crimes face justice relentlessly.
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