Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) General Kale Kayihura has been cleared of all criminal charges by the General Court Martial.
The charges, which included failing to protect war materials, failure to supervise police officers, and abetting kidnapping, were withdrawn by a seven-member panel led by Brigadier General Freeman Robert Mugabe.
Kayihura had been arrested in August 2018 and subsequently appeared before the UPDF General Court Martial to plead to the charges.
The prosecution claimed that between 2010 and 2018, Kayihura provided firearms to unauthorized individuals, specifically members of the Boda-boda 2010 group led by Abdullah Kitatta. This group was accused of disrupting opposition rallies.
Additionally, Kayihura was accused of aiding and abetting subordinate police officers in the illegal kidnapping and repatriation of Rwandan exiles, refugees, and Ugandan citizens to Rwanda.
He was also charged with failing to oversee the proper use and accountability of firearms and ammunition issued to specialized police units.
However, during a recent hearing, the prosecution, led by Lt Col Raphael Mugisha and Private Regina Nanzala, revealed that they had received instructions to withdraw the charges against Kayihura.
The withdrawal document, signed by the Director of Prosecutions in the army, was presented to the court. Brigadier Freeman read the document and subsequently discharged Kayihura, declaring him a free man.
Kayihura, dressed in a black suit, thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, his friends, and supporters for standing by him during the legal proceedings.
He expressed his gratitude for the outcome and proclaimed his confidence in his eventual vindication. Notably, Kayihura had been retired from the army a couple of months prior to these events.
The decision to drop the charges comes after calls for Kayihura’s pardon, including a plea from the NRM led by Kisoro District LCV Chairperson, Abel Bizimana, during the 2021 presidential campaigns. In response, President Museveni expressed his intent to speak with UPDF prosecutors about forgiving Kayihura.
With the withdrawal of all charges, General Kale Kayihura has regained his freedom, and he has been seen celebrating his exoneration with slogans of freedom.