The Uganda Police has acknowledged apologies from its Sister Security Agency, the UPDF over the manner in which a female traffic police officer, Sgt Namaganda Esther was treated by Maj Gen (Rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza’s UPDF guards.
According to police spokesman Fred Enanga, the incident that was captured on video started when the driver of motor vehicle reg. no. 18CDMI who was heading from Kampala – Mukono, wrongfully made a U-turn in the middle of the road at Seeta junction; and was stopped by the traffic officer.
“This prompted, two bodyguards to the Ugandan Ambassador to Burundi, Major General (Rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza, to jump out of the car and angrily confront our officer, including assault after she attempted to stop them from making the U-turn,” Enanga said at a weekly police press conference on Monday.
“We want to strongly condemn such acts of brutality upon our officers, and do further congratulate our officer on the degree of patience and restraint exhibited. We are observing her treatment and speedy recovery from the injuries and trauma suffered from the incident. This is one example of the risks all police officers face as they work to protect the citizens they serve,” Enanga further said during the press conference at the police headquarters in Naguru.
The Police spokesman explained that the police has created two task teams to pursue the matter, which includes; the Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) Traffic Commander Norman Musinga who will investigate the conduct of the driver, for inconsiderate use of the road; and another team under the CID Commander KMP to investigate the changes of assault and wilful obstruction of an officer on official duty.
“The team is also investigating an additional complaint of assault from a UBC Journalist, Peter Otai, who was allegedly assaulted while capturing the incident on video,” Enanga added.
“The task teams will jointly coordinate with the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence and obtain statements from the two bodyguards, already in military custody namely: RA/221607 L/CPL Bushindiki Peter and RA/230927 Pte Okurut John Robert,” Enanga said further.
“The public must know that the military charge against them has criminal consequences, the reason we are working with the CMI to bridge the gap and explore the opportunity of charging the suspects on both criminal charges and court-martial, over the same behavior,” Enanga, a commissioner in the Uganda Police said.
He also noted that, “as a matter of protocol, the team will through the police leadership cause for the summoning of H.E. The Ambassador Major General (Rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza, through the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on probable charges of assault and wrongful obstruction of an officer on duty”.