State Given More Time in PC Ivan Wabwire Murder Case

Buganda Road Court has postponed the case involving Ivan Wabwire, a Police officer accused of the murder of an Indian money lender in Kampala. This delay allows the state more time to conclude their investigations.

On Thursday, Wabwire once again appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi. He faces charges of murder, and the magistrate has directed the state, led by Ivan Kyazze, to expedite the investigations. The accused will be committed to the High Court for trial, with the last adjournment date set for September 21st, 2023.

Following the court session, defense lawyer Geoffrey Turyamussima spoke to journalists, expressing his belief in his client’s innocence. He stated that any actions contrary to the law were carried out without the right state of mind.

The Court learned that on May 12, 2023, at Raja Chambers along Parliament Avenue in Kampala District, Wabwire unlawfully and intentionally killed Uttam Bhandari Saremal, an Indian national and the director of TFS Financial Services. This company regularly provided loans to police officers and the public.

After the incident, Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) Spokesperson, revealed that Wabwire had been diagnosed with a mental illness six years prior. The leadership at Kampala Central police station had consequently decided not to deploy him with a rifle or in situations requiring weapon use.

Further investigation unveiled that Wabwire initially obtained a 1 million loan from TFS in 2020, with an interest of 320,000 shillings over 12 months. In 2021, he acquired a second loan of the same amount and terms but defaulted on payment.

Reportedly, at the time of the shooting, Wabwire had visited to request a quotation for transferring the loan to an undisclosed bank. After the incident, he returned the firearm used in the killing to Central Police Station (CPS) before fleeing to Busia, near the Kenyan border, where he was eventually arrested over the weekend.