The Buhweju District Police are in pursuit of one of their own following an incident in which a civilian lost their life due to a police officer’s actions.
Martial Tumusiime, the Greater Bushenyi Police spokesperson, revealed that this tragic event unfolded on October 25, 2023, at approximately 8:30 am in Rwajere Village, Burere Sub-County, Buhweju.
The officer in question is identified as Cpl Taremwa Glacius (Badge Number 44120), the Officer in Charge of Burere Station in Buhweju. He is accused of fatally shooting 23-year-old Osbert Bitahwa, a resident of the same village.
The incident reportedly began when Taremwa, accompanied by another police officer, PC Mwendya Derrick (Badge Number 75980), both from Burere Police Station, and Moses Kiwanuka, the LC1 chairperson of Rwajere village, arrived at the location to apprehend Mayas Katureebe, who was suspected of fraudulent activities.
As they attempted to arrest Katureebe, he resisted and engaged in a scuffle with Mwendya. During this altercation, Cpl Taremwa intervened, and a bullet was discharged from his weapon, inadvertently striking a bystander who was pursuing the suspect.
Tumusiime explained, “He used the gun butt on the suspect, at this point the gun discharged the bullet that hit the deceased who stood around with other onlookers cheering the suspect.”
At the scene, the police recovered a rifle and a cartridge containing 28 rounds, which were taken as evidence.
The deceased’s body was transported to Nsiika Health Centre IV for a postmortem examination, while the police have launched a search for both suspects involved in this tragic incident.
