Kayihura shuffles Police officers

Jul 26, 2016

This comes hot on the heels of summons in which eight police officials are to appear in court

Four Kampala Metropolitan Police commanders on trial for caning supporters of former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye have been replaced in a fresh Police transfer.

Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura ordered replacement in a transfer message sent to all directors, heads of department and units. 

In the transfer Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Abbas Byakagaba who has been the Kampala Metropolitan Police commander has been appointed commandant of the Senior Command and Staff College -Bwebajja in Wakiso district. 

The other commanders who've been reassigned are Katwe division field operations commander Patrick Muhumuza, Wandegeya Division Police Commander Moses Nanoka, Kampala Metropolitan Police operations boss Moses Bamuzibire and Kampala Metropolitan Police South Regional Police commander, Andrew Kaggwa.

This comes hot on the heels of court summons by Makindye chief magistrate Richard Mafabi in which Kayihura and seven other police officials are to appear in court on 10th August.

The officers are accused of brutality after videos emerged of former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye supporters being caned along Busabala Road.

Kayihura moved to justify the act saying the use of batons is a new move by police to disperse crowds other than the use of teargas.

"They were blocking Entebbe Road and we had to disperse them," Kayihura said.

Speaking to New Vision, the deputy Police spokesperson Polly Namaye confirmed the transfers saying they are normal.

"These transfers are not intended to sabotage the on-going process, because it has been done too in many other places of the country and I have not confirmed whether they have received the court summons," Namaye said.

Kayihura's deputy Okoth Ochola has promoted another 92 senior officers from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police to Superintendent of Police.

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