KIBOGA.
A prison warder accused of killing four people in a February 23 shooting at Kiboga Government Prison,Kiboga District has been formally charged and remanded, as investigators piece together the circumstances behind the deadly incident.
Moses Anguyo (No. 13544) on Tuesday appeared before Kiboga Grade One Magistrate Jonard Tusasirwe under tight security, jointly charged with three others.
He stood in the dock alongside Peter Anziku, also known as Dickson Okuonzu, and Hellen Anviko, appearing calm as proceedings got underway.
Prosecution alleges that Anguyo, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the deaths of ASP Catharine Hope, PO1 Bright Akishuri, Sarah Ayebare and Salson Niwagaba.
He also faces a charge of aggravated robbery. Prosecutors told court that on the same day, he allegedly robbed Grace Katusime of a black jean trouser and used a gun during or immediately after the incident.
He is further accused of robbing an Arsenal jersey from Mary Nabayiga, again using a firearm.
Under a separate count, Anguyo is charged with threatening violence, with prosecution stating he threatened to injure or kill SP Ivan Niwagaba.
His co-accused were charged separately with being accessories after the fact to a felony, contrary to Section 366 of the Penal Code Act. Prosecutors allege the trio, described as his relatives, coordinated efforts to help him evade arrest after the shooting.
Proceedings were conducted with the help of a Lugbara interpreter after the accused requested that charges be read in a language they understand.
Senior State Attorneys Stephen Ariong and Joan Gasswaga told court that investigations are ongoing, adding that the magistrate’s court lacks jurisdiction to try capital offences, which are reserved for the High Court. No plea was taken in line with procedure.
During the session, Anguyo raised several concerns, including questioning why he was jointly charged with the co-accused despite claiming responsibility for the acts leading to his arrest.
He also alleged that upon his arrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the officers stole gold weighing about 500 grams from him.
Anguyo further claimed that Shs700, 000 recovered from his wife, Ms Anviko, belonged to her savings group and not to him, and asked court to allow his transfer to a prison facility in Kampala together with his two children, whom he said were left stranded in Kiboga.
One of the co-accused, Anziku, a primary school teacher attached to Masindi District Local Government, told court he had not been allowed to inform his employer of his arrest.
“I need to officially inform my employer about my arrest. I also do not understand how I am charged on the same file with a prison warder involved in a shooting,” he said.
In response, prosecution maintained that items recovered during arrest, including mobile phones, are part of the exhibits in the case.
Magistrate Tusasirwe directed the Directorate of Public Prosecutions to liaise with police to address concerns raised by the accused.
The suspects were remanded to Kitalya Prison and Luzira Prison until April 24, when the case will return for mention.
Preliminary investigations indicate the shooting may have stemmed from a dispute after the suspect was cautioned against using WhatsApp while on duty, contrary to prison regulations. Authorities have also pointed to possible frustration linked to career progression as part of the motive.
Security operatives arrested Anguyo on Saturday in Aru town in DR Congo during a joint operation with Congolese forces after he fled Uganda following the shooting. He was later extradited through Arua District, where Ugandan security agencies took him into custody.
