Police chief pledges action against officers implicated in poll violence

KAMPALA - Uganda Police Boss has committed himself h to taking action against security officers implicated in last week's violence in Kawempe North.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abbas Byakagaba echoed this on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, during an interface with Parliament’s Defense and Internal Affairs Committee, chaired by Wilson Kajwengye (Nyabushozi County, NRM).

The violence erupted on Tuesday last week when supporters of National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola clashed with operatives from the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce while en route to a campaign venue.

In the melee, journalist Ibrah Miracle sustained an injury near his eye. Several other supporters, including Abdallah Kiwanuka (Mukono North, NUP), were assaulted. By the time the dust settled, a number of NUP members, among them Derrick Nyeko (Makindye West) and Muwadda Nkunyingi (Kyadondo East), had been remanded to Kitalya prison.

Chairperson committee of defence and internal affairs Wilson Kajwengye and Brandon Alex Brandon Kintu Kagoma (North County) during the committee sitting. (All Photos by Maria Wamala)

State Minister for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi, emphasized the need for a broader conversation on responsible behaviour across the board.

While all detained NUP supporters have since been released, Kiwanuka, nicknamed Mulima Mayuni (Yam Grower), remains at pains.

“I happened to be a victim wherein, your District Police Commander (DPC) called Matovu of Kawempe ordered JATT to assault, batter, kick and slap me. I have heard several of my colleagues and several Ugandans have gone through the same. For the sake of the DPC of Wandegeya, I have heard that some actions are being taken,” he narrated.

“I want to know if it is collective action being taken against all police officers who were involved in battering and assaulting Ugandans in Kawempe or if it is selective action. Or it only requires us to take action like the one we took against Nanoka and the then IGP, you remember very well because I spearheaded that,” Kiwanuka further stated.

Further inquiring whether JATT’s actions were sanctioned by Police and where the outfit belongs.

Police respond

In response, Byakagaba promised to make good. Saying what happened was regrettable.

“We don’t tolerate indiscipline and as the honourable minister has mentioned, we have Standard Operating Procedures, we work within the inter-agency framework but are led by the Police. I am in charge of the police; I am tasked to command and administer the police by the constitution of this country. But equally, I am tasked in my tasks to work with other agencies in order to ensure security and safety of the people of Uganda,” Byakagaba stated.

“We don’t take any indiscipline lightly. Whatever happened contravening the laws is regrettable and action, you have already mentioned, processes are ongoing and we shall not favour anybody and the law will take its course,” he vowed.

State Minister for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi, emphasized the need for a broader conversation on responsible behaviour across the board. He noted that civilians have become increasingly defiant and disrespectful toward security officers, stressing that this discourse should extend beyond isolated incidents.

“Because you can’t also offend the law with reckless abandon and expect somebody on the other side to sometimes behave reasonably. Maybe now you get a clash of very extreme people and this is a boiling point,” Muhoozi explained.

The minister also described it as unacceptable for any enforcer of the law to wear hoods over their heads and faces. Everyone, he added should be properly identified.

“We have rules of engagement, booklets written for officers. I think we shouldn’t tire to ensure that we enforce the law and we enforce it according to the dictates including law enforcement officers,” he summed.