Entebbe Chief Magistrate’s Court presided over by Mary Kaitesi adjourned the hearing of a case in which six suspended Aviation Police (AVPOL) officers are accused of destroying evidence to March 19th after the prosecution said inquiries into the case were not complete.
State prosecutor Mr Julius Tuhairwe told the court that inquiry into the suspended AVPOL officers who were arrested last year by the flying squad over the destruction of evidence is incomplete.
Mr Mutakirwa Edward of Majoli, Bogere, Mutakirwa Advocates who is representing the accused, complained before the court over delays in hearing the case.
He says his clients are disadvantaged by this trial because it seems the state isn’t interested in having this case heard. ''There are no disclosures that have been made to us” he said.
However, Mr Tuhairwe told the court that the state would provide the information to the defence.
They asked court take cognisance that the suspects were paraded in court while the DPP’s office was in industrial action and we do undertake to disclose to the accused” he said.
The six who include former Commandant of the Very Important Persons Protection Unit (VIPPU) Lodovic Awita who was also head of the narcotics department in Police, SP Imoly Natalis the former Officer in charge crime intelligence at the Aviation police, AIP Michael Ssemuwemba, Sgt. David Owiny, Sgt. Derogations Muhebwa and Sgt. Julius Mwesigwa are charged with destroying evidence contrary to section 102 of the penal code act.
Court heard that between 2013 and 2015 while stationed at the Entebbe Airport Aviation police, the six destroyed 34.5kgs of narcotics drugs with the foreknowledge that they were required before the court.
The six Suspended AVPOL officers (L-R) Imoly Natalis, David Owiny, Awita Lodovic, Michael Ssemuwemba, Julius Mwesigwa and Deogratious Muhebwa in the dock at Entebbe Chief Magistrate's Court.