A high-ranking police official has been placed in Luzira Prison due to allegations of aggravated trafficking in persons.
During a court session on Thursday, Superintendent of Police Gilbert Arinaitwe stood before Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi at Buganda Road Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
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Arinaitwe, who serves as a police officer at the Crime Intelligence Directorate headquarters, is currently facing charges related to trafficking in persons, which are in violation of sections 3(1)(a) and (4)(h) of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2009.
According to the prosecution’s claim, on June of 2023 at Nalumunye Bandwe, Kyengera town council in the Wakiso district, Arinaitwe and others who remain unidentified recruited, confined, transported, transferred, harbored, facilitated, or received Joan Namukasa.
This was allegedly accomplished through threats, use of force, coercion, deception, abuse of power, or manipulation of vulnerability, all for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced labor, involuntary servitude, or debt bondage.
Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, stated that the accused has been formally charged, with his DNA results pending verification.
Enanga emphasized, “The fact that the suspect is a sworn police officer with a duty to protect the public makes the case more egregious. His appearance in court shows our commitment to fight all persons who victimize vulnerable citizens, irrespective of their status.”
Notably, Arinaitwe gained attention in 2011 when he used pepper spray on Dr. Kiiza Besigye during Besigye’s walk-to-work protests.
Subsequently, Arinaitwe, represented by his lawyer James Njogu, sought bail. Njogu argued that the offense is eligible for bail and stressed that Arinaitwe is the primary financial provider for his family.
As part of his bail application, Arinaitwe provided his mother Olive Bwana, Police officer Nichola Sandy, and his friend John Patrick Lukwiya as his sureties.
Nevertheless, Senior State Attorney Ivan Kyazze, leading the prosecution, contested Arinaitwe’s bail application.
Kyazze highlighted that Arinaitwe did not furnish the court with a copy of his National Identification card or an LC1 letter, which would verify his place of residence.
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