Uganda’s most famous slaps

Sep 03, 2010

ON August 25, the former commandant of the Military Police, Col. Dick Bugingo, told Makindye court that he slapped Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga in 2005 because the chaotic situation necessitated him to do so.

By Chris Kiwawulo

ON August 25, the former commandant of the Military Police, Col. Dick Bugingo, told Makindye court that he slapped Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga in 2005 because the chaotic situation necessitated him to do so.

On December 12, 2005, Bugingo slapped Ruranga, then Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) secretary for electoral affairs and broke his glasses. The incident took place near the FDC offices in Najjanankumbi, Entebbe Road.

About 500 FDC supporters had blocked the road as they sought audience with the visiting South African President, Thabo Mbeki, who was on his way to Kampala from Entebbe Airport. “What I did was professional. I realised that my action was not the best, but was fair according to the situation,” Bugingo was quoted as saying.

On July 25, 2010, Libyan leader, Col. Muammar Gadaffi, allegedly slapped one of his aides during the African Union summit at Speke Resort, Munyonyo, for taking him to a wrong meeting venue. He was supposed to go to Meera Hall where other presidents were waiting, but his people took him to Victoria Hall.

On July 21, 2010, Mbarara district chairman Wilberforce Yaguma accused the state minister for urban planning, Urban Tibamanya, of slapping him. The dramatic incident allegedly happened at Nyamiriro village, Rubindi in Mbarara district, following a hot exchange of words where the minister accused the chairman of buying beer for his supporters at Rubindi trading centre.

June 8, 2010, Police and stick-wielding men allegedly slapped and caned FDC president Dr. Kizza Besigye at the Clock Tower in Kampala. Besigye and other leaders of the Inter-Party Coalition had tried to hold a rally there.

On May 24, 2010, Kasese Woman MP Winfred Kiiza allegedly slapped Lukiyo Agino, a Karimojong beggar, who was arrested over child abuse. The incident took place at the Central Police Station in Kampala.

In August 2009, a man only identified as Lajam allegedly slapped a Police officer identified as Catherine in Jinja.

Lajam is said to have mistaken Catherine for a petty thief. The plain-clothed Police constable had picked a polyethylene bag over the counter to pack an apple she had just bought from the supermarket, but Lajam thought she had stolen something. Lajam was arrested and later charged with assault.

In September 2008, Brig. Kasirye Gwanga, a special presidential adviser on security in Buganda, is alleged to have slapped Ssebina Ssekitoleko, an aide of security minister Amama Mbabazi, at Metro FM Radio in Kampala.

In March 2008, James Kazini (RIP) allegedly slapped Dr. Robert Kagoda, accusing him of having an affair with his mistress, only identified as Winnie. The doctor, Winnie’s neighbour in Buziga, Kampala, filed a case against the general.

In July 2004, Brig. Elly Kayanja, then head of the Internal Security Organisation, was accused of slapping the Bukakata sub-county NRM chairman, Charles Ntesibe at a public rally in Masaka.

In May 2002, Eng. Charles Kazibwe admitted that he slapped his wife, former vice-president Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe. Eng. Kazibwe said he slapped his wife “only” twice because of insubordination.

On February 13, 2002, the Iganga district chairman, Patrick Bageya, allegedly attacked and slapped information minister, the late Basoga Nsadhu, at a fuel station in Iganga. The minister filed an assault case against him at Iganga Police station.

Accordingly, Basoga accused Bageya of slapping and pinching him in the face. The officer in charge of crime, Moses Mpanuka, said the case number was 42/2002.

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