City businessman Desh Kananura and his co-accused during the previous court battle
KAMPALA, UGANDA – Ugandan Police authorities revoked businessman Desh Kananura’s firearms license and confiscated his weapons on Thursday, June 13, 2024, the website has learnt.
Kananura, a motor rally driver and owner of Panamera Bar in Naguru, Kampala, has been accused of using his firearms to intimidate individuals with whom he has had business dealings. Despite multiple reports filed at Kira Road Police Station, no action had been taken against Kananura, who was believed to have exerted significant influence over the station’s leadership.
“It is understood that Desh has been keeping 3 guns, which he has been using to intimidate and extort money from persons who were unfortunate to have business dealings with. ” a source familiar with the development told this website on Monday.
The action followed numerous complaints of alleged intimidation, extortion, and coercion by Mr. Kananura, who was accused of using his firearms to intimidate individuals with whom he had business dealings.
Despite multiple reports filed at Kira Road Police Station, no action had been taken against the businessman, who was believed to have exerted significant influence over the station’s leadership, particularly the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
“Apparently, many concerned citizens have been reporting cases of Desh’s gun misuse at Kira Road Police Station which failed to take action. Desh is known to exercise influence over Kira Road Police Station’s top leadership, especially CID,” a top official who participated in disarming Mr. Kananura said.
The police’s decision to act now remains unclear, but sources suggest that Kananura may have recently drawn the ire of influential individuals.
Previous Legal Troubles
Kananura has a history of alleged misconduct, including a previous murder charge related to the killing of his barman, Badru Kateregga, in 2012. He was arrested, charged, and released on bail, but was later acquitted by the High Court in 2017 due to lack of incriminating evidence.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had announced plans to appeal the acquittal in the Court of Appeal, citing poorly evaluated evidence.