The Inspector General of Police, Martins Okoth Ochola, has ordered the arrest of driver Abdallah Sowedi.
Abdallah Sowedi is a police driver.
However, a source says that after he was recommended for SPC training, which he reported to in July 2023, Sowedi reportedly escaped after just 3 days at the Police Training School in Kabalye, Masindi.
Secondly, a source adds that Sowedi was allegedly involved in two robberies: one in Katwe and another in Mbale.
Based on these grounds, a well-placed source says the IGP has tasked the Director of Crime Intelligence, AIGP Christopher Damulira, to arrest and detain Sowedi for going away without leave (AWOL). Once arrested, Sowedi will also answer charges related to robberies, among others.
Sowedi, whose confession alleging how he masterminded the downfall of former Police Chief Gen. (Rtd) Kale Kayihura, joined the Police Force as Special Police Constable (SPC), shocked many in security circles.
He was recruited into the force in 2012, at a time when the police needed more manpower to neutralize the famous Walk to Work (W2W) protests engineered by opposition leader Col. Kizza Besigye.
“Sowedi entered police as a driver but didn’t have a force number; however, all those recruited with him were given uniforms,” said an official.
11 years later, Sowedi was sent to Kabalye this year to undergo full police training to be able to acquire a number after passing out as a full cop.
“When he reached, he spent three days and escaped,” an official said.
This is punishable under the law.
“The police school has declared him a deserter and is being hunted to face charges in the police disciplinary court,” an official added.
“The Commandant of Kabalye Police Training School, CP Abdallah Ziwedde, has already briefed the IGP about the matter, and as we speak, he is being hunted,” another official said.
Sowedi, before he was sent to a course, had been sacked by Deputy Director of Human Resources SCP Geoffrey Musana over robbery allegations.
Two years ago, he was also disarmed by Senior Superintendent of Police Mark Odong over the same allegations.
Contacted for a comment on this matter, Police Spokesperson SCP Fred Enanga said that the police last week received a copy of a petition from a whistleblower against Sowedi, and the IGP has since directed that the culprit be arrested.
