Felix Kaweesi's 'lover' held hostage

 Security personnel guarding the residence of Muhoza (above) in Lungujja, Kampala on Thursday. She is reported to have been close to late Kaweesi

SECURITY|CRIME

The Police yesterday explained the standoff with Internal Security Organisation (ISO) over a woman identified as Christine Mbabazi Muhoza, believed to have been close to the late Assistant Inspector General of Police, Andrew Felix Kaweesi, who was assassinated in March.

Spokesperson Asan Kasingye said the Police moved to Muhoza's residence in Lungujja on Thursday, acting on an SOS they received calling for help. The SOS was reportedly sent by Muhoza who Kasingye described as the "so-called Kaweesi girlfriend".

"I wish to state that the Police received a call for help from a lady 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 had been locked incommunicado in her house," Kasingye said at a press briefing in Kampala.

Following the SOS, a contingent of heavily armed Police officers rushed to the woman's house to "find out what was happening and investigate the circumstances".

When the Police reached the scene, they were "resisted" by the armed UPDF soldiers. They remained at the woman's house, until the next day — Friday morning.

He explained that later, both the Police and the "deployed army officers" were withdrawn and a "neutral force" deployed.

The spokesperson declined to give details about the "deployed army officers" and the neutral force. But sources say the "deployed army officers" belong to the ISO and the ‘neutral force' is the Special Forces Command.

Sources alleged that the ISO chief, Col. Frank Bagyenda, deployed soldiers at Muhoza's home, with instructions not to allow her out of their sight. It is not clear why the woman is under armed guard. But reports say she may have useful information on the murder of Kaweesi.

New Vision learnt that the Police contingent involved in the standoff was from the Police Flying Squad, commanded by Herbert Muhangi.

Kasingye denied that there was any standoff between the Police forces and the armed soldiers.

"Our responsibility was to investigate the circumstances under which Muhoza called us (the Police).

We were not investigating the death of Kaweesi," he added.

Close to 20 suspects have been arrested, charged and remanded in connection with the murder of the deceased.

UPDF spokesperson Brig Richard Karemire confirmed the operation at Muhoza's home involved ISO. But he declined to delve into the matter.

"It was an ISO-led operation. Once army officers are attached to ISO, their operations are handled by ISO.

It is ISO that can explain why the operation was conducted," 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 rightful channels to brief the public," he said.