This week, most of the news has been filled with the death of Makerere University 3rd year student, Emmanuel Tegu.Tegu’s death has prompted an uproar and too much pressure on the Uganda Police Force by the public to find out who beat up Emmanuel Tegu after claims that LDU officers were responsible for his demise hence releasing a more detailed statement.
Four suspects have since then been charged with murder of Tegu at the LDC court. They are identified as Charles Oigu; a 34 year old area councilor, Balam Nyeko; a 33 year old security guard, Johnson Kakuru; a 24 year old resident of Makerere and 21 year old Moses Sekitoleko, a resident of Makerere.
“Their actions were supported by the post mortem report which revealed the cause of death as blunt force trauma, due to open wounds along the back, multiple cane marks on the back of the right elbow and abrasions along the abdomen and the entire back of the victim,” the Police statement reads.
According to Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson,Tegu acted violently towards a Police officer identified as Farouk Mukose. He noted that the deceased was found walking from his church in Makerere University when he met PC Mukose who inquired about who he was and what he was doing out in the cold.
“He appeared erratic and responded by throwing stones at the officer who fired three shots in the air to scare the victim but Tegu kept charging at him” the statement from police reads.
According to Enanga, prevailing facts of the case indicate that on June 27th 2020, Tegu left his sister Rachael Ariongeti’s home, at Namungoona where he also stayed with his brother Sam Okwalinga, and proceeded to his church at Makerere and did not return.
The Police’s task team, in their investigation, suggest that Tegu was tortured by three private security guards and a mob of about 10-15 residents from Zone 1 and west road quarters around Lumumba hall. This after he charged at the private security guards who later overpowered him.
“We would like to inform the public that the investigations are still open and we have clues about three more suspects who are still at large,” Police says.
The Police has denied blocking media requests to access CCTV footage of the crime from St Augustine Church. On Wednesday, media outlets ran stories suggesting that the police had blocked them from accessing the footage even after the Chaplain had invited them.
“We do advise them to liaise with the church since it is private footage, and also with the family of the deceased,” Police writes.
According to Enanga,the Inspector General of Police, Okoth Ochola has strongly condemned the gross misconduct by the Private Security Guards and has further asked the Commissioner in charge, Private Firearms and Security Organizations to ensure they are all well retained and equipped with the required skills on rules of engagement and use of reasonable force in the course of their duties.
Tegu was a son to a police officer, SGT Okwalinga and Enanga said that the force extends thoughts and prayers to the family, for losing one of their own.
Enanga noted :“We are also devastated by the senseless murder of a son who had a dream, of working in the veterinary field. He was an evangelist who was compassionate and always helping out. May his soul rest in eternal peace,”
