Witnesses in Gilbert Bwana Trafficking Case go Missing

The High Court’s International Crimes Division has heard that witnesses including the victim in the human trafficking case against a senior police officer Gilbert Bwana Arinaitwe are still missing.

This has been revealed by cheif state Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo as the case came up before justice Alice Komuhangi Kaukha this morning.

Due to this on-going search, Kyomuhendo requested for an adjournment to continue locating the witness and also consult with his boss on the next steps to take. 

As a result, Justice Komuhangi has adjourned the case until April 22, 2025, warning that all parties should be prepared to proceed by then.

In December 2024, the International Crimes Court confirmed charges of aggravated trafficking in persons against 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  faces allegations of exploiting his former housemaid in a chilling case of abuse of power and sexual violence.

The charges against Bwana stem from allegations that he trafficked a victim from Mbarara to Kampala in June 2023, under the guise of offering her a job. 

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.

The victim claims that Bwana forced her into unprotected sex at gunpoint and exploited her for sexual purposes.

The court  noted that Bwana’s status as a law enforcement officer and public official satisfies a key element of the offense. 

The prosecution contends that Bwana committed the offense between June and July 2023 in Kampala District using his position of power and authority.