DPP withdraws Trafficking in Persons Charge against Bwana Arinaitwe

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has withdrawn charges against Detective Superintendent of Police  Arinaitwe Bwana Gilbert, who was accused of aggravated trafficking in persons. 

The charges were withdrawn on Tuesday before the International Crimes Division of the High Court before  Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha.

The DPP was represented by Chief State Attorney  Joseph Kyomuhendo, who tendered a withdrawal document (Nolle Prosequi) serial Number  2919 dated April 11, 2025, which was duly signed by the DPP Jane Frances Abodo. 

As a result, the court was left with no choice but to discharge  Arinaitwe unless held on other lawful charges. 

The Court has also ordered that Arinaitwe’s personal belongings, as contained in some marked exhibits, be returned to him immediately, along with his passport, which is being held by the Buganda Road Court. Additionally, the court has ordered that Arinaitwe’s bail money of  2 million shillings be refunded to him.

On April 7th 2025,  prosecutors informed the International Crimes Division of the High Court that witnesses, including the victim in the human trafficking case against Bwana, were still missing.

Consequently, Lady Justice Komuhangi adjourned the case until today. It’s against this background that the charges have been withdrawn. 

In December 2024, the International Crimes Court confirmed charges of aggravated trafficking against Bwana.

The charges had been confirmed by the head of ICD, Dr Andrew Bashaija, who stated that the prosecution had adduced enough evidence against Bwana to stand trial before a trial Judge.

The prosecution alleged that Bwana arranged for the victim’s transportation from Mbarara to Kampala, promising her a job as a housemaid. However, upon arrival, the victim was allegedly forced into unprotected sex at gunpoint, and Bwana exploited his position of power to coerce her into sex.

It was also alleged that Bwana arranged and paid for the victim’s transportation from Kampala to Nateete Park and then to his home, where he received her and provided accommodation. The victim worked as Bwana’s housemate for a month, a fact reportedly confirmed by Bwana himself. The judge noted that Bwana’s statements, in addition to those of the victim, placed him at the scene of the crime.

And that, then the victim’s allegations were corroborated by medical evidence, which shows an old ruptured hymen, bruising, and inflammation. The Judge also noted that the victim’s aunt, Agnes Katushabe, had introduced the victim to the woman who promised her a job and sent the victim 40,000 shillings for transport.

According to Police’s preliminary investigations,  the victim intimated to her friend how she had been raped more than seven times and confined with no or little food at all on top of being not paid a salary.

Bwana Arinaitwe rose to the limelight in 2011 after pepper-spraying opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye directly in the eyes shortly after smashing his vehicle’s window glass near Mulago Hospital Roundabout during the walk-to-work protests.