Esther Namaganda, the traffic police officer at Seeta in Mukono who stopped the NRM CEC member, also Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi, Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza with his military guards for abusing the traffic and road safety law, but ended up being assaulted for doing the right thing on Sunday has said the general grabbed her […]
Esther Namaganda, the traffic police officer at Seeta in Mukono who stopped the NRM CEC member, also Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi, Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza with his military guards for abusing the traffic and road safety law, but ended up being assaulted for doing the right thing on Sunday has said the general grabbed her and slapped her hard on the ears.
Namaganda said he slapped her on the ear, sending her reeling backwards: “I was calling vehicles from Mukono going to Kampala then all of a sudden I saw a black Prado indicating [that it wanted to turn]. I told the driver don’t make a u-turn from here. Go to the petrol station and make a proper turning. He insisted, shortly I saw army men getting out of the vehicle. They came and grabbed me. I saw another person in civilian clothes who came and told me: ‘Why are you disturbing us?’ He wanted to pluck off my ranks. Then two people grabbed me and Kyaligonza slapped me on the ears. I felt dizzy and If one of my colleagues had not grabbed me, I would have fallen down.”
The Army has since spoken out against this level of impunity, saying the army officers have been arrested and will be brought to book;
We have been informed of the incident involving a Police traffic Sergeant and UPDF military Police Soldiers. It is very regrettable and apologies to our Police Sister.UPDF and UPF are establishing the facts .Findings will guide action to be taken.
— – (@UPDFspokespersn) February 24, 2019
They are currently detained at the Military Police Headquarters in Makindye, the UPDF spokesman Brig Richard Karemire has said.
“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.”
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.
Afande, if you need fuel to pick the suspects, let us know. 😂🤣
— Andrew Bagala (@andrewbagala) February 24, 2019
Your always sorry and act like your doing something but never do!! totusiluwazza just continue bring corrupt we are used after all
— Adriana (@MayAdriana4) February 24, 2019
Please surprise us and for once do something about it🙄🙄🙄
— Rachel Rwakatungu (@RwakierRachel) February 24, 2019
Thanks @UPDFspokespersn and the when the investigations are done, let this diligent officer earn justice. We need more of such officers who serve country not individuals.
— John Baptist Imokola (@Imokola) February 24, 2019
Please keep updating the public about the actions and the results of whatever investigation is going on. Thanks.
— 🧡 (@sayebare_) February 24, 2019
Kyaligonza is not new to controversy. In the late 1980s, he roughed up a police officer at Jinja Road Police Station who was trying to interrogate him. In the 2001 general elections, he also beat up Amlan Tumusiime, a former news editor of Radio Hoima for airing a story he said did not favour him.
