Fallen on Duty: Police Driver Otema Denis Dies in High-Speed Pursuit of Robbers
The accident occurred around 4:00 a.m. at Kitemu, Nsangi, along the busy Masaka Highway. Otema was driving Police Patrol Vehicle UP 1328, responding to an alert about suspected criminals who were fleeing the area under the cover of darkness. In the process of giving chase, the patrol vehicle veered off the road and overturned.

Uganda Today Edition: Fallen on Duty: Police Driver Otema Denis Dies in High-Speed Pursuit of Robbers

| Uganda Today News | May 3, 2025
KITEMU-NSANGI, MASAKA ROAD — In the early hours of Saturday morning, tragedy struck Uganda’s law enforcement family when a police officer, Constable Driver Otema Denis, lost his life in a fatal road accident while in pursuit of armed robbers.
The accident occurred around 4:00 a.m. at Kitemu, Nsangi, along the busy Masaka Highway. Otema was driving Police Patrol Vehicle UP 1328, responding to an alert about suspected criminals who were fleeing the area under the cover of darkness. In the process of giving chase, the patrol vehicle veered off the road and overturned.
Police sources confirmed that Constable Otema Denis died on the spot. His colleagues survived the crash with injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
A Hero Silenced in the Line of Duty
Though many in the public are quick to criticize and mistrust police officers, the death of Constable Otema is a stark reminder that police work is a life-risking commitment. It is a profession where danger often lurks in the shadows, and sometimes, that risk becomes a sacrifice.
“He died doing what he was trained and sworn to do—protect Ugandans,” a colleague said tearfully at Nsangi Police Station.
Constable Otema’s death echoes the often forgotten truth: police officers are not just enforcers of law—they are frontline defenders of public safety, sometimes giving their lives so others may be spared.
The Human Side of the Uniform
In moments of crisis, police officers rush in when others are rushing out. Their presence in dark alleyways, on empty highways, and at volatile crime scenes is what keeps order alive.
Yet, these officers are often met with misunderstanding, criticism, and, at times, hate from the very public they serve. The loss of Officer Otema invites reflection on the human side of policing—a side that bleeds, breaks, and in tragic cases like this one, pays the ultimate price.
A Nation Mourns One of Its Own
The Uganda Police Force has not yet released an official statement, but colleagues and local residents have expressed shock and sorrow over the death of the brave officer. Residents of Kitemu and Nsangi gathered silently at the scene of the crash, many lighting candles in tribute to Otema’s courage.
As investigations into the accident continue, tributes are pouring in across social media from fellow officers and Ugandans who recognize the heroism of police work.
Rest in Peace, Officer Otema
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and comrades of Constable Driver Otema Denis. May his sacrifice remind us that behind every uniform is a person—someone’s father, brother, son, or friend—committed to making Uganda safer.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
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