Kahinda Otafiire the minister of Internal Affairs has urged Police in Mukono District to arrest some of their own police officers for arresting innocent people and also assaulting local leaders.
The operations are meant to arrest suspects in a mob violence that claimed the lives of four people following the killing of two boda boda operators in the area.
Last month, Nama Subcounty recorded a bad accident where seven people and one baby died due to violence and robbery. The one-year-old child in Katoogo village was killed and thrown in a toilet.
We should also remember that on April 26, Rogers Katalikabbe, a native healer, was killed at his home at night by unknown people and beheaded.
The lifeless body found its grim resting place within the confines of the shrine in Katoogo, a village shrouded in unsettling whispers.
Minister Otafiire’s concern peaked, prompting him to call for a gathering with the locals at the bustling trading center of Katoogo in Nama.
During the discourse, Sulaiman Katambala, the esteemed chairman of Waluga Village, pointed accusatory fingers at security forces, denouncing their actions as unprofessional and their arrests as indiscriminate.
“Mr. Minister, innocents, even children attending school, have been ensnared by security forces. Leaders were assaulted under baseless accusations of inciting mob justice,” Katambala’s voice rang with conviction.
Mukono South MP Abdallah Kiwanuka echoed the sentiments, lambasting the police for their laxity in combating crime despite numerous grievances lodged with the Mukono Police.
“Police negligence persists as citizens seek aid, only to be met with demands for fuel,” Kiwanuka voiced his frustration.
Former Mukono North MP Ronald Kibuule urged the minister to reinforce the Katoogo Police Post with ample personnel to restore order to the region.
In response to allegations of police misconduct, Kampala East Regional Commander Joab Wabwire cited social media footage showing individuals committing acts of violence, leading to their subsequent arrests.
General Otafiire rebuked the police for their hasty arrests and mistreatment of local leaders, demanding the arrest and prosecution of every officer involved.
“Ugandans are not cattle to be herded and beaten. RPC, I demand the apprehension of those responsible for assaulting our leaders,” Otafiire’s tone brooked no argument.
“I will not tolerate such brutality under my jurisdiction as Minister of Internal Affairs.”
While Otafiire extended apologies to the tortured leaders, he attributed the tragic deaths to Mukono police’s failure to address reported criminal activities, which in turn spurred vigilante justice.
“At times, it is the negligence of law enforcement that fans the flames of such crises. If the police fail to heed the cries of the populace, it’s inevitable that communities will take matters into their own hands,” Otafiire lamented.
