Special Forces take over Kaweesi lover's home

Oct 18, 2017

Police had earlier clashed with ISO over the woman identified as Christine Mbabazi Muhoza, believed to have been ‘close’ to Kaweesi who was assassinated in March.

Soldiers inside the compound where Christine Mbabazi, a close associate of late AIGP Andrew Kaweesi lives in Lungujja, Kampala. Photo/File

As the Special Forces Command (SFC) operatives maintain heavy deployment at the home of the alleged lover of former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Felix Kaweesi, Police yesterday arrested two operatives attached to Internal Security Organisation (ISO).


Police had earlier clashed with ISO over the woman identified as Christine Mbabazi Muhoza, believed to have been ‘close' to Kaweesi who was assassinated in March.

In an operation that was led by Old Kampala Division Police commander, Grace Nyangoma, the Flying Squad Unit (FSU) detectives arrested two ISO operatives; a one Ramathan Bukenya and another who was yet to be identified by press time yesterday.

Bukenya is said to have been heading the ISO team at Muhoza's house at the time Police raided.

Yesterday, the FSU commandant, Herbert Muhangi told New Vision that the Police raided the house to investigate two cases, among them, a missing person disappearance and threatening violence.

Muhangi said they responded to the SOS distress signal after Muhoza had reported two cases - a missing person under case reference SD 38/29/9/17 at Nateete Police Station and another of threatening violence under 19/28/09/17 at Old Kampala Police Station. Both cases were reported last month.

Muhangi refuted claims of a standoff between the sister security agencies. He said President Yoweri Museveni ordered a neutral force (SFC) to be deployed at Muhoza's house. Until yesterday, SFC was still deployed at the home.

A top ranking Police officer who spoke to New Vision on condition of anonymity faulted ISO operatives for allegedly blackmailing the Police.

"The woman has been coached and she is spreading harmful propaganda," the senior policeman said.

Explaining the blackmail, the top ranking police officer faulted ISO abusing the powers of a governing umbrella unit (Joint Intelligence Committee) on sharing information.

"We always share information on investigations. They did not. Why? They have coached Muhoza," the policeman said.

Sources alleged ISO boss Col. Frank Bagyenda deployed soldiers at Muhoza's home in Lungujja, a city suburb, with instructions not to allow her out of their sight.

However, officers from the Police Flying Squad, commanded by Herbert Muhangi, surrounded the home Thursday in an attempt to ‘rescue' Muhoza.

On Monday, the Police spokesperson, Asan Kasingye said the forces moved to Muhoza's residence on Thursday, acting on an SOS they received from the woman calling for help.

"I wish to state that the Police received an SOS from a woman who identified herself as Christine Mbabazi Muhoza. She called both Old Kampala and Nateete Police stations.

She claimed that unknown armed people had held her hostage and she was locked incommunicado in her house," Kasingye said at a press briefing in Kampala.

"Our responsibility was to investigate circumstances for which she (Muhoza) called us (the Police). We were not investigating the death of the late AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi," he said.

Close to 20 suspects have been arrested, charged and remanded in connection with Kaweesi's murder.

The defence spokesperson, Brig. Richard Karemire confirmed that the operation at Muhoza's home was conducted by ISO.

However, he declined to divulge details. "It was an ISO-led operation. Once army officers are attached to ISO, their conduct and operations are handled by ISO. It is ISO that can explain why the operation was conducted," Brig. Karemire said.

Bagyenda said he could not discuss details because the matter was under investigation.

"Discussing it will tamper with our investigations. When the appropriate time comes, we shall use the rightful channels to brief the public," he said.

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