Dismissed Police Officer Receives 16-Month Jail Term for Neglecting Firearm Linked to Indian Money Lender’s Murder
Kampala – In a recent development, former police officer Stephen Murombo has been sentenced to serve 16 months in prison. This verdict comes as a result of his negligence in safeguarding his service weapon, which was later used by his colleague, Ivan Wabwire, to commit a murder involving an Indian money lender. The decision was handed down by the Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate, Fidelis Otwao, following Murombo’s plea bargain agreement with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Murombo had faced two charges in court, one for neglecting his duty and the other for failing to secure his firearm and ammunition properly. These charges arose from an incident on May 12th, 2023, at the Central Police Station in Kampala. At that time, Murombo, serving as a police officer in the Uganda Police Force, left a sub-machine gun along with 120 rounds of ammunition unattended in an unauthorized location. It was in this state of neglect that Police Constable Ivan Wabwire came across the weapon and subsequently used it to fatally shoot Uttam Bhandari.
The plea bargain agreement negotiated between Murombo, represented by his lawyer Evans Ochieng, and Senior State Attorney Timothy Amerit led to the imposition of a 16-month prison sentence. This sentence will cover both charges concurrently. Murombo admitted to the charges and expressed his guilt in the plea bargain agreement.
Prior to entering his plea, Murombo confirmed that he had consulted with his advocate and had a full understanding of the facts related to his case, the nature of the offenses, potential defenses, his constitutional rights, and the consequences of his plea. The agreement stressed that his guilty plea was voluntary and not the result of coercion, threats, inducements, or promises.
The negotiated sentence further reveals Murombo’s willingness to cooperate with the prosecution and testify as a witness in the case against Ivan Wabwire. It is emphasized that Murombo had no criminal intent when he neglected his firearm and did not intend to cause Uttam Bhandari’s death. The agreement also highlighted Murombo’s remorse for his actions, his role as a father and provider for his family, and his potential value to society.
Following the plea agreement, Magistrate Otwao endorsed it while considering the time Murombo had spent in remand. Otwao concluded that Murombo voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived his constitutional and statutory rights, and found that there was a factual basis for his guilty plea.
Murombo was dismissed from the Uganda Police Force in May and is currently serving his sentence at Luzira Prison. Meanwhile, Ivan Wabwire is awaiting trial in the High Court on murder charges, having been committed for trial about two weeks prior by the same court.