KAMPALA – Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine has mocked Police after their very own tested the impunity many Opposition politicians go through on a daily.
Bobi Wine made the remarks after a photo on Sunday showed retired Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza and his bodyguards manhandling Esther Namaganda a female traffic police officer who was on duty.
Bobi Wine, in a statement on Social Media, reminds Police officers on a day he went through the same and told them to remember when he said: “Afande, we are not fighting you. We are fighting for you. This is what I meant.”
“We are fighting for your dignity. For your well-being. We are fighting so that you can be respected in your country – in your uniform. We are fighting so that your work can be appreciated and not demeaned,” he wrote.
Bobi Wine added: “We are fighting so that you are not harassed by your superiors for doing your job. We are fighting to put an end to this kind of impunity.”
It is reported that a scuffle ensued after Namanda, (the assaulted officer) allegedly tried to stop the vehicle in which Kyaligonza was travelling for allegedly breaking traffic rules.
The high profiled officer had allegedly made a U-turn in the middle of the road.
Also tortured is a journalist working with Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) who was at the scene.
UBC TV journalist Peter Otai who took the pictures, says one of the ambassador’s soldiers, Okurut (as per his name tag) even attempted to stab him with a sword but missed him.
The soldiers who were seen in a video assaulting a female police officer have been arrested and are currently detained at the Military Police Headquarters in Makindye, the UPDF spokesman Brig Richard Karemire has confirmed.
“We wish to inform the public that as investigations into circumstances that led to the Seeta incident continue, UPDF has arrested RA/221607 L/CPL Bushindiki Peter and RA/230927 Pte Okurut John Robert,” Brig Karemire said.
He added, “They are now held at Military Police Hqs. We reiterate our commitment to ensuring discipline of all ranks.”
Brig Karemire had initially apologised via Twitter before saying investigations were underway to establish the facts of the matter.
“We have been informed of the incident involving a Police traffic sergeant and UPDF military police soldiers. It is regrettable and apologies to our Police sister. UPDF and UPF are establishing the facts findings will guide actions to be taken,” Brig Richard Karemire tweeted.
However, most Social Media users including Police officers have condemned the incident calling upon concerned authorities to bring the errant retired soldier and his guards to book.
Police Chief Political Commissar Assistant Inspector General of Police Asan Kasingye tweeted, saying: “I remember one day he was demoted for slapping the OC Station Jinja Rd ASP Tumusiime in 1989.”
Gen Kyaligonza is the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) vice-chairperson for the western region as well as a member of UPDF high command.
