Human trafficking: preliminary investigation into senior police officer begins

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KAMPALA- The preliminary hearing in a case involving aggravated human trafficking charges against a senior police officer, Gilbert Bwana Arinaitwe, has been scheduled for Monday, August 19, 2024.

Arinaitwe, a police chief attached to the Criminal Intelligence Bureau headquarters in Kololo, Kampala, is also accused of recruiting and detaining one Joan Namukasa for sexual exploitation or forced labour.

Judge Andrew Bashaija of the International Crimes Division of the High Court is hearing the case.

Arinaitwe is fighting charges of human trafficking, which is contrary to sections 3(1)(a) and (4)(h) of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2009. If found guilty, Arinaitwe will spend the rest of his life in Luzira Prison.

Arinaitwe came into the spotlight after he pepper-sprayed former presidential candidate and founder of the Forum for Democratic Change, Dr. Kizza Besigye, during a run for office campaign in 2011.

Accusations

The Prosecution alleges that Arinaitwe and others who were still at large in Nalumunye Bandwe Area, Rubaga Division, Kampala District on 20 June 2023 recruited, detained, transported, transferred, harboured, facilitated or received Namukasa; by means of the threat or use of force, other forms of coercion or deception or the abuse of power or position of vulnerability for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labour or involuntary servitude or debt bondage.