The case of ASP Atwiine Vincent vs Uganda has drawn public attention after it appeared on the High Court Criminal Division cause list for November 2024, before Hon. Mr. Justice Gadenya Wolimbwa Paul, in Courtroom No. 6.
According to the cause list from the Case Administration System (ccas.judicature.go.ug), ASP Atwiine’s matter falls under Criminal Miscellaneous Applications, with the hearing scheduled for 9:00 AM. The nature of the sitting is a bail application.
However, emerging documents raise serious concerns regarding the officer’s continued deployment despite ongoing criminal cases against him.
A handwritten complaint addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and copied to the Director Legal, Police Headquarters, Naguru, alleges that ASP Atwiine Vincent is still serving in active duty even though he is facing High Court cases of aggravated robbery and obtaining money by false pretenses.
The complaint references two police files:
- CRB 187/2023 – Kira/Kinawataka (Aggravated Robbery)
- CRB 887/2023 – Jinja Road CPS (Obtaining Money by False Pretenses)
According to the letter, these cases were reported in September 2023 by Kinawataka at the respective stations, and investigations have since been ongoing.
The complainant expresses concern that ASP Atwiine was allegedly “cleared” or allowed to remain in active deployment despite the seriousness of the charges before court. This has sparked questions within the policing community and among the public about the integrity of internal disciplinary processes and the standards governing officer deployment while under investigation.
As the High Court handles his bail application, attention now turns to the Uganda Police Force and the Director of Legal Affairs for clarification on how such cases are being managed internally, especially when the accused officers are still serving in the field.
This case serves as yet another reminder of the need for transparency and accountability within the force to maintain public confidence in the justice system.