Stephen Murombo, a 34-year-old police officer, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to neglect of duty and failure to secure his firearm and ammunition, which goes against Ugandan law.
Murombo pleaded guilty before Buganda Road grade one magistrate, Fidelis Otwao, who subsequently handed down the prison sentence.
The incident leading to Murombo’s conviction occurred on May 12, 2023, when his colleague, Ivan Wabwire, used Murombo’s gun to commit the murder of Uttam Bhandari, an Indian money lender, on Parliamentary Avenue in Kampala.
Furthermore, it was discovered that Murombo had left his firearm in an unsuitable location, enabling Wabwire to steal it without authorized access.
“The court finds that the accused willingly pled guilty, understanding the nature and consequences of the charges against him. The allegations presented in this matter are deemed true, and there is a factual basis for the plea and admission(s). The court accepts the accused’s plea and incorporates this agreement into the case file,” stated the plea bargain agreement signed by Magistrate Otwao.
As per the agreement, Murombo voluntarily accepted that his sentence would be served concurrently with the time he has already spent in lawful custody.
