Besigye tormentor Bwana Arinaitwe to face trial over trafficking

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The International Crimes Division of the High Court has confirmed charges of aggravated trafficking against Superintendent of Police (SP) Gilbert Arinaitwe Bwana.
Once notorious for his brutal treatment of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye during the walk-to-work protests a decade ago, Arinaitwe now faces allegations of exploiting his former housemaid in a chilling case of abuse of power and sexual violence.
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According to the prosecution, the victim, whose name has been withheld, was lured from Mbarara to Arinaitwe’s home in Nalumunye, Bandwe Zone, under the pretext of employment as a housemaid with a promised monthly wage of shs 60,000.
However, her life quickly descended into a nightmare. Arinaitwe allegedly used his position, access to a firearm, and manipulative promises to subject her to repeated sexual assaults, withheld her wages, and even deprived her of food when she resisted his advances.
DNA evidence presented by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) corroborated the victim’s claims, identifying Arinaitwe as the donor of biological material linked to the assaults.
This, combined with the victim's testimony, formed what Justice Andrew Bashaija described as compelling evidence during a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday.
“The victim’s plight was corroborated by DNA analysis and aligned with her testimony, presenting strong corroborative evidence,” the ODPP noted.
The court established that Arinaitwe arranged for the victim's transportation from Mbarara to Kampala, where she was taken to his residence and forced to work under duress.
Justice Bashaija ruled that the accused's actions violated Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, which criminalizes exploitation through coercion, abuse of power, or deception, especially when perpetrated by public officers.
Arinaitwe, who attained the rank of Superintendent of Police in July 2022, had a duty to uphold public trust, a responsibility the court found he severely abused.
The judge highlighted the systemic and calculated nature of the crimes, citing psychological manipulation, repeated sexual assaults, and the accused's misuse of authority and access to a firearm to instill fear.
“This evidence remains undisputed, including the accused’s own statement confirming the victim’s employment as his housemaid,” Justice Bashaija stated.
The ruling brings the case closer to a full trial, where Arinaitwe will face justice for what the court described as egregious violations of human dignity and trust.
The pre-trial process adhered to international standards, with parallels drawn to practices at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This case underscores the grim reality of abuse of power by individuals entrusted with public authority and sets the stage for a trial that could provide justice for the victim and reaffirm accountability within law enforcement.