Senior Police Officer Gilbert Bwana Arinaitwe has been committed to stand trial in a serious human trafficking case. Arinaitwe, currently serving as a Superintendent of Police at the Crime Intelligence headquarters in Kololo, is accused of allegedly recruiting and confining Joan Namukasa with intentions of sexual exploitation or forced labor.
Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi of Buganda Road Court formally committed Arinaitwe to the International Crimes Division of the High Court on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. This decision came after the prosecution declared that investigations into the case had been completed. State Attorney Ivan Kyazze from the Director of Public Prosecutions presented the committal papers for Arinaitwe to the magistrate.
The charges against Arinaitwe stem from violations of Section 3(1)(a) and (4)(h) of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2009. If convicted, Arinaitwe faces the possibility of a life sentence in Luzira Prison.
Arinaitwe gained public attention previously for an incident in 2011 when he infamously doused Dr. Kizza Besigye with pepper during a walk-to-work campaign.
According to the prosecution, Arinaitwe and accomplices, who are still at large, allegedly engaged in trafficking activities in June 2023 at Nalumunye Bandwe zone, Rubaga Division, Kampala district. The charges include recruiting, maintaining, confining, transporting, transferring, harboring, facilitating, or receiving Namukasa through threats, use of force, coercion, deception, abuse of power, or exploiting her vulnerability. The purpose was purportedly for sexual exploitation, forced labor, involuntary servitude, or debt bondage.
“The accused has not presented a valid defense against these charges and should be convicted as indicted,” argued State Attorney Kyazze.
