Police commissioner punched on duty
Apr 02, 2008
TWENTY-four hours after he turned down a bribe, Steven Kasiime, the acting Commissioner of Traffic and Road Safety, was yesterday punched by a motorist in Kampala.
By Herbert Ssempogo
TWENTY-four hours after he turned down a bribe, Steven Kasiime, the acting Commissioner of Traffic and Road Safety, was yesterday punched by a motorist in Kampala.
The attack occurred at the Entebbe Road-Ben Kiwanuka street junction during the morning rush hour, Kasiima said.
The attacker, Nurudin Ssebandeke, refused to heed Police orders after being cautioned against using the wrong lane, Kamiima added.
“Corporal Bahwa advised him against proceeding to Entebbe Road but he was adamant.†Kasiima said, adding that the motorist nearly knocked Bahwa down.
Kasiima, who has since Monday been overseeing a crack-down on traffic offenders, arrived at the scene and asked Ssebandeke to comply, but he would not.
“He forcefully opened his door and it hit Corporal Bahwa,†Kasiima recounted. “When he got out, he grabbed my collar and boxed me in the stomach and another officer.â€
Traffic policemen rushed to the scene and overpowered Ssebandeke, who was dressed in black trousers and a checked blue shirt.
Ssebandeke, who deals in vehicle spare parts in Katwe, was led to the Central Police Station, where he recorded a statement.
Ssebandeke rejected advice to apologise to Kasiima. “Take me to court. You should not intimidate me, much as you are a commissioner of Police,†Ssebandeke said.
Kasiima also recorded a statement and was shortly after driven in a Police squad car to Nsambya Hospital. “After examining me, the doctor made a report, which has been attached to the file,†he said.
“It was an unfortunate incident. People asked him to stop assaulting me but he would not listen.â€
Ssebandeke is to face charges of assault, obstructing Police officers and failure to fasten a safety belt.
Meanwhile, Ali Abdalla, who is accused of offering Kasiima a bribe of sh20,000 on Monday, is still in detention at Katwe Police Station.
TWENTY-four hours after he turned down a bribe, Steven Kasiime, the acting Commissioner of Traffic and Road Safety, was yesterday punched by a motorist in Kampala.
The attack occurred at the Entebbe Road-Ben Kiwanuka street junction during the morning rush hour, Kasiima said.
The attacker, Nurudin Ssebandeke, refused to heed Police orders after being cautioned against using the wrong lane, Kamiima added.
“Corporal Bahwa advised him against proceeding to Entebbe Road but he was adamant.†Kasiima said, adding that the motorist nearly knocked Bahwa down.
Kasiima, who has since Monday been overseeing a crack-down on traffic offenders, arrived at the scene and asked Ssebandeke to comply, but he would not.
“He forcefully opened his door and it hit Corporal Bahwa,†Kasiima recounted. “When he got out, he grabbed my collar and boxed me in the stomach and another officer.â€
Traffic policemen rushed to the scene and overpowered Ssebandeke, who was dressed in black trousers and a checked blue shirt.
Ssebandeke, who deals in vehicle spare parts in Katwe, was led to the Central Police Station, where he recorded a statement.
Ssebandeke rejected advice to apologise to Kasiima. “Take me to court. You should not intimidate me, much as you are a commissioner of Police,†Ssebandeke said.
Kasiima also recorded a statement and was shortly after driven in a Police squad car to Nsambya Hospital. “After examining me, the doctor made a report, which has been attached to the file,†he said.
“It was an unfortunate incident. People asked him to stop assaulting me but he would not listen.â€
Ssebandeke is to face charges of assault, obstructing Police officers and failure to fasten a safety belt.
Meanwhile, Ali Abdalla, who is accused of offering Kasiima a bribe of sh20,000 on Monday, is still in detention at Katwe Police Station.