Cheeye probed over pulling gun

Apr 14, 2008

THE director of economic monitoring in the Internal Security Organisation, Teddy Ssezi Cheeye, is being investigated for allegedly drawing his gun at a Police officer and court bailiffs.

By Herbert Ssempogo

THE director of economic monitoring in the Internal Security Organisation, Teddy Ssezi Cheeye, is being investigated for allegedly drawing his gun at a Police officer and court bailiffs.

The New Vision learnt that a case has been opened against Cheeye over the incident last week at Katatumba Suites in the city centre. The team had come to arrest the spy chief over his alleged failure to clear a debt.

Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said Charles Nsubuga, the Police officer who escorted the bailiffs, Jackson Mwesige and his colleague, had recorded statements over the matter.

But when the trio got there, Cheeye reportedly pulled a pistol out of a drawer and ordered them to leave his office.

“He pulled it (pistol) out and swung it in the air,” Mwesigye told The New Vision moments after the 11:00am incident.

The Central Police Station chief, Johnson Bahimbise, also recorded a statement about the incident. Cheeye, who is no stranger to brawls with court bailiffs, reportedly owes a car dealer, Dembe Trading Enterprises, over sh26.3m for a vehicle the company is said to have sold him.

Subsequently, the Commercial Court on April 4 issued a warrant of arrest against Cheeye over failure to clear the debt despite repeated reminders.

According to the former journalist, the bailiffs should have gone to the security organisation, which bought for him the vehicle over 12 years ago.

“They were in the wrong place. They thought they would intimidate me into giving them caayi (bribe),” Cheeye said by phone last week.

He denied drawing a gun, saying it would be the “last resort”.

Disputing the amount, he added that sh8.9m had been paid to clear the debt.

However, sources said Cheeye has since paid sh5m out of the sh26m debt.

About two years ago, Patrick Kirunda, a burly city bailiff, overpowered Cheeye and led him to the Commercial Court where he was wanted over a case. Cheeye was later committed to civil prison.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});