Museveni speaks out on Police brutality

As the country continues to cast the spotlight on the Police over the recent spate of brutality meted out to Ugandans, especially supporters of former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye, President Yoweri Museveni has also condemned the use of excessive force to disperse non-violent crowds.

"No we do not support Police brutality but, of course, you also know that we do not support indiscipline of the political actors," he said.

Museveni weighed in on the debate during an interaction with journalists during the closing of the one-week retreat of ministers, permanent secretaries and members of the central executive committee of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) on Sunday at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi district.

Taking a swipe at Besigye's methods of work, which he said are choreographed on violence, Museveni asked why it is always Besigye clashing with Police unlike other opposition leaders?

"Where the Police are caught in some issues is mainly to do with people like Dr. Besigye. There are other opposition leaders; I have not heard them getting involved in these conflicts with the police. There are there: Cecilia Ogwal (FDC strong woman and MP for Dokolo district), people like DP's Mao (Norbert, who is the DP party president), the UPCs and others.  The whole thing is Besigye and with his indiscipline and lawlessness," he said.

Amidst the heavy public scrutiny of the Police, the Professional Standards Unit of the force has set up a probe to investigate the caning of hapless bystanders by a section of cops, during recent processions by opposition supporters led by Besigye.

However, Museveni said he was yet to fully acquaint himself with the underlying details that have shaped recent actions of Police, saying he has been heavily engaged with African Union summit chores and other related works.

Joyce Nakato, a reporter for Bukedde asks President Museveni a question at the closing ceremony of the retreat. Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba

L-R: 3rd deputy premier Kirunda Kivejinja, minister Godfrey Kiwanda, NRM secretary general Kasule Lumumba, minister Chrysostom Muyingo and Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda wave to President Museveni as he left after closing the retreat. Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba

He also added that he was yet to meet with Gen. Kale Kayihura, the Inspector General of Police to grid the issue of Police brutality in detail.

"I have not studied it because I was away. We were in the African Union meeting (in Kigali, Rwanda) and I have not had time to study (the matter). But I hear that the Police were involved in beating some people who were demonstrating," he said, drawing the country to critically scrutinize how the beaten people were demonstrating.

"Where they demonstrating peacefully or they were violent against the Police?  If they were demonstrating peacefully and you attack them then you are not doing your role. But if they were violent against the Police—throwing stones, then the Police will have to react. And one way of non-lethal reacting is what they call baton-charge. This is provided for in the Police Act," he said.

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