Otafiire, Kutesa Deny Shielding Criminals

By Richard Mutumba STATE Ministers Sam Kutesa and Kahinda Otafiire yesterday denied protecting criminals and obstructing justice. Kutesa, the minister in charge of investment and Otafiire for regional cooperation, were appearing before the presidential and foreign affairs parliamentary committee. The committee wanted an explanation from the two ministers on whether they obstructed justice when they allegedly released criminals from jails as alleged by presidential assistant on political affairs, Maj. Roland Kakooza Mutale. Kakooza early this month accused Otafiire and Sam Kutesa of frustrating his efforts in fighting crime in Kampala by interfering with the administration of justice. The two ministers, however, denied any involvement in obstructing justice. While Kutesa described Mutale as a ‘misguided missile,’ Otafiire said the Major “needed psychiatric help.” Kutesa told the committee chaired by Nsaba Buturo that the man, Kawoya Kiganda, that Mutale said he (Kutesa) released from Police custody, was his constituent, who had been held over wrong charges. “The poor man had been accused of terrorism for merely being found in possession of allegedly contaminated cement. He is out on Police bond,” he added. Otafiire said Michael Alvin he was accused of releasing from jail had never been held in the first place. Ends