Court detains OCS Talaam for 15 days in Albert Ojwang' murder case

In a ruling delivered by Magistrate BenMark Ekhubi, the court found that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence and material to warrant the denial of bail.

Ekhubi noted that while courts typically require specific proof of threats or attempts to interfere with witnesses, the prosecution had demonstrated such interference, including allegations that the crime scene and CCTV footage had been tampered with.

“The blue code is a common phenomenon within police ranks — even in jurisdictions like the United States,” Ekhubi said, referring to a culture of silence and protection among officers.

He added that Talaam’s senior position and long-standing service in the force gave him access to a network capable of shielding him from accountability and influencing the investigation.

The court rejected the prosecution’s claim that Talaam should be held for his own safety, noting that public protests and anger had continued even while he remained in custody. Ekhubi ruled that the ongoing demonstrations did not justify continued detention on safety grounds alone.

At the beginning of his ruling, Magistrate Ekhubi issued a stark reminder:

“I point out — and shudder for my country — what has happened during the demonstrations. I remind my country of the words spoken in Rwanda during the genocide: ‘Never again.’”

He concluded that the prosecution had made a compelling case regarding potential witness interference and ordered that Talaam be remanded for 15 days as investigations continue.