President Tasks IGP to Probe into Murder Allegations Against Senior Police Officer

President Yoweri Museveni has instructed the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura to probe into allegations that Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Philip Acaye, the East Kyoga Regional Police Commander was involved in the torture and murder of a civilian.

The President has written to the IGP to investigate a claim by a one Nicholas Enyopu who alleges that ACP Philip Acaye, a Senior police officer murdered his son Moses Okello.

The issue was brought to the attention of the President in a petition filed by the father of the deceased seeking justice for his dead son.

“Reference is made to the attached letter from Mzee Nicholas Enyopu dated May 2017. In the letter, Enyopu petitioned the President to intervene in pursuit of denied justice for his family,” the letter from President Museveni, dated December 4 reads.

The letter which is signed by Nawe Molly Kamukama, the President’s Principal Private Secretary adds; “The purpose of this communication is therefore to request that this matter is handled to its logical conclusion”.

The President further directed IGP Kayihura to hand in a report once the investigation is concluded.

In 2015, the New Vision reported that eight security personnel including army officers and four police officers had been arrested and charged in court in connection with the murder of Moses Okello who was aged 35.

Okello, a former resident of Kalaki in Kaberamaido district was reportedly arrested and tortured to death in Amuria district.

The arrested police officers included D/IP John Cox Obuin who was attached to regional CIID in Soroti and reportedly commanded the arrest of Okello. But he and others were later released upon clearance by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after they were found not to have had a hand in the murder.

According to a police report dated March 12, by East Kyoga regional CIID officer, Okello Bura, the murder of Okello occurred on March 3 between Akerieu Sub-County in Amuria district and Soroti Municipality. The case was filed vide CPS/Soroti CRB 433/2015.

Police investigations had indicated that the East Kyoga Regional Police Commander ACP Philip Acaye instructed D/IP John Cox Obuin to recover illegal firearms that the deceased was alleged to have in his custody.

Later in April 2015, Nicholas Enyopu, the father to Okello wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mike Chibita, seeking to understand the circumstances under which Obuin was released yet several witness testimonies indicated that he was involved in the murder.