The director of public prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo has formally withdrawn aggravated trafficking in persons charges against detective superintendent of police Gilbert Arinaitwe Bwana.
The charges were dropped on Tuesday before the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High court, presided over by justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha. Representing the DPP, chief state attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo submitted a Nolle Prosequi, a formal notice of case withdrawal, dated April 11, 2025.
With no further charges pending against Arinaitwe, the court ordered his discharge and instructed that all his personal belongings and passport, previously held by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s court, be returned to him. His Shs 2 million bail money is also to be refunded.
However, a Star pistol bearing the Uganda Police number 00604658931, along with 15 bullets, is to be returned to Crime Intelligence. The firearm was initially received by detective inspector Nkurunziza and later transferred to detective corporal Geoffrey Tusiime on August 4, 2023.
Prosecution struggled to locate witnesses
On April 7, 2025, prosecutors informed the court that key witnesses, including the victim, remained untraceable. Kyomuhendo had at the time requested an adjournment to allow further efforts to locate the witnesses and consult with the DPP.
Justice Komuhangi agreed to adjourn the case until this week, leading to the eventual withdrawal. In December 2024, the ICD had confirmed charges against Arinaitwe after justice Andrew Bashaija, head of the division, ruled that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to warrant a trial.
According to court records, the prosecution alleged that Arinaitwe recruited a young woman from Mbarara under the pretense of offering her a housemaid job in Kampala. Upon arrival, however, she was allegedly sexually abused at gunpoint, coerced into unprotected sex, and kept under harsh conditions at Arinaitwe’s residence for about a month.
The prosecution further claimed that Arinaitwe arranged and financed the victim’s travel from Kampala to Nateete Park, and eventually to his home, where she worked without pay or adequate food.
Medical reports presented during pre-trial hearings allegedly supported the victim’s claims, detailing bruises, inflammation, and an old ruptured hymen. The victim’s rescue was reportedly initiated by a friend, who contacted a local defence secretary after the victim confided in her.
The local official then escorted the victim to Nateete police station to make a formal complaint. The victim was later placed under the care of a non-governmental organisation, whose identity was withheld for safety reasons.
Arinaitwe had earlier been remanded to Luzira prison before being released on bail. Arinaitwe first gained national notoriety in 2011, when he pepper-sprayed opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye directly in the face after smashing his car window with a pistol during the walk-to-work protests. The incident drew widespread condemnation and remains etched in Uganda’s political memory.
