Increased shootings by cadet police officers in Uganda

[Free Uganda]

Residents of Mubuku town board in Maliba sub-county,have expressed concern over the increased shooting by Uganda police officers whom they claim have showed incompetence in their work.

The demand for explanation follows the incident where a Uganda police officer Edson Kirya, OC Mubuku police station shot dead Welcome Mbeta, a secondary school teacher at Mubuku Valley S.S and Hima Progressive S.S in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

The acting Rwenzori East regional police commander Mr Patrick Bingi Atwooki, confirmed the incident saying that the police officer was in custody at central police station in Kasese town.

“It is true our Uganda police officer shot dead a teacher who was alleged to have been breaking into the house of the neighbour. We have arrested our own pending investigations,” Mr Bingi said.

According to Bingi, Kirya shot at the teacher suspecting that he was a thief little knowing he was opening a friend’s house who left him with keys before he went for Christmas.

Mr Peter Tumwine, a fellow teacher who was found at the scene claimed that the incident was intentional because the deceased was with the police officer playing pool table before they separated for a late night match.

“Police owe us a big explanation because this was an intentional incident. How could someone shoot dead the person he spent the evening with even when the security light was on,” Tumwine said.

Mr Tumwine told this reporter that though the deceased was not residing in the same house where he was killed from, he had charged his phone from there since he was left with keys by his friend.

He said that the deceased was a resident of Mubuku town board but a born of Kibito in Bunyangabu District.

Isaac Kisembo, a close friend to the deceased faulted police for the death of Mbeta saying that if they never refused to take him to hospital immediately, he would not have died.

“We reached here immediately after the incident but police refused to take him to the hospital saying he was already dead. Maybe we could have saved his life,” Kisembo said.

He described the deceased as a humble, cool and soft speaking man, who was sober all the time not even taking booze or any drugs that confuse people.

“My friend did not take any booze or drugs that confuse many. We are still worried to see that police can kill anyhow like that without another thought and yet the rooms were opposite each other with lights on,” Kisembo noted.

He recounts murders that have happened in Kasese in one month by Uganda police officers, hence doubting their training.

“I doubt whether these cadets were professionally trained because in late December, two people were killed and two others wounded under the same circumstances,” Kisembo said.

A cadet officer in charge of Karusandara police station in December shot dead a crime preventer under unclear circumstances. This followed another incident where two children were shot and injured in separate incidents by officer in charge of operations at Hima police station.

The district vice chairperson Mr Elly Magwara blamed police for the incidents doubting their professionalism.

[Free Uganda]

Its very unfortunate that Police and Kiwanga mawotto zone defence a one called Mugerwa have invaded birthday party of one of the Young Men Who have studied, grown and a responsiple mutuuze of the place and every one Who attended from the neighberhood and as í speak their held at the police station in seeta , this is totally disappointing that this man Mugerwa knows every one of them and they have never committed any offence at Amy one time, ooooohhhhhh í think Uganda is now under Marshall law !!!!!

[Free Uganda]

The Nakawa grade one magistrate ,Noah Sajjabi has released on bail three people accused of Terrorism

The Nakawa grade one magistrate, Noah Sajjabi has released on bail three people accused of Terrorism and the murder of AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi.
Kaweesi was shot dead by unknown assailants as he left his home in Kulambiro, together with his bodyguard and driver in March 2017.The freed are Ahmad Shaban Senfuka, Umar Maganda and Abdul Kaala. This is the second time Senfuka is being released on bail. They were released on Tuesday on a cash bail of Ugx. 2 million. while their sureties were bonded at 500 million shillings non cash.However, two of their colleagues two suspects Ali Mugoya and Sinani Hibwagi were sent back to prison as the former lacked substantial sureties, while the latter’s sureties had not arrived at court in time.
On November 7, 2017, Senfuka was among the seven suspects who had been granted mandatory bail over Kaweesi’s murder. He was however, re-arrested by plain-clothed security officers.

[Free Uganda]

Gangs like Kifeesi have publicly narrated how they carry out robberies with the knowledge of senior police officers

Last November, ISO officials paraded before the press suspects who had been arrested over various crimes, including forgery of passports, human trafficking and car theft, among others, which is ordinarily police work
The military tracked the suspects to the Boda Boda 2010, a gang associated with police but working on instructions of specific senior officers in the establishment
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KAMPALA- Ongoing developments where the military intelligence have taken over investigations and arrest of suspected criminals is leaving many questions unanswered.

Killings continue to ravage the country but the murder of Case Hospital accountant, Francis Ekalungar, blew the lid off the escalating crime situation perpetuated by different armed gangs who enjoy protection from the hierarchy of the police and some other security agencies.

Gangs like Kifeesi have publicly narrated how they carry out robberies with the knowledge of senior police officers.

The security agencies in Uganda; police, army and intelligence agencies have different mandates.
The police protects life, property and rule of law and prevent and detect crime.

The military intelligence and Internal Security Organisation (ISO) ensure stability of the State. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) defends and protects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda.

Looking at the current situation where the military have taken over high-profile murders and other crimes, there seems to be huge challenges in the management of the security establishment.

Army intervention in crime

During the funeral of slain former police spokesperson Felix Kaweesi in March last year, President Museveni said police were infiltrated by criminals, confirming the long-held view by the public. Since the President’s statement, there have been significant interventions in police operations by other security agencies.
In the wake of chain killings of women in Nansana and Entebbe in Wakiso District last year when the criminals killed at wish and will without police making any tangible headway in arresting the culprits, the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) intervened in the investigations and arrested several suspects after phone tracking. 

The situation had threatened to get out of hand with the women murdered in more less similar manner of brutality. The killings ceased forthwith.

In October 2017, CMI arrested senior police officers on allegations that they had been involved in other crimes, including illegal extradition of Rwandan refugees from Uganda back home to face persecution and prosecution.

Senior Commissioner of Police Joel Aguma, Senior Superintendent of Police Nixon Agasirwe and five others were arrested and charged in the army court. Their trial is still ongoing. No other such arrest of Rwandan refugees has happened since then.

Last November, ISO officials paraded before the press suspects who had been arrested over various crimes, including forgery of passports, human trafficking and car theft, among others, which is ordinarily police work.

Addressing journalists later, the Director General of ISO, Col Frank Kaka Bagyenda, denied they had taken over the police mandate.

“ISO is not taking over the role of the police neither are we in conflict with them but we are only providing support. In this work of ending rampant criminality in Kampala Metropolitan and elsewhere, we are working with External Security Organisation and the police,” Col Bagyenda said then. This seeming vote of no-confidence in police has been heightened by the current storm which kicked off last Friday with the arrest of Abdullah Kitatta, the leader of Boda Boda 2010 gang, and other members over the alleged connection to the murder of Ekalungar. Ekarungar was murdered on January 2 and his body later found burnt beyond recognition in Kajjansi outskirt.

Two weeks later, police threw in the towel and said they were stuck in the investigations into the murder because they had no clue on the killers. The army would not take any of the police excuses. The military intelligence took over the task leading to the Friday storm.

The military tracked the suspects to the Boda Boda 2010, a gang associated with police but working on instructions of specific senior officers in the establishment. Kitatta, his brother Muzamiru Kiwalabye, and two alleged accomplices were arrested by the military. There was information that a senior police chief intervened to stop the arrest of Kitatta and group but the military would not listen to the call.

Clash of roles
Mid-October last year, there was a standoff between police and ISO over a woman identified as Christine Mbabazi Muhoza, who was believed to have been a girlfriend to the late Kaweesi and was believed to know something about the deceased’s death. The ISO deployed at her home in Lungujja to ensure police had no access to her. Police counter-deployed at the same home and the fallout nearly yielded a fire exchange between the two security agencies.

The then police spokesperson, Asan Kasingye, said they had received a call from Muhoza for rescue from ISO operatives. But later it transpired this claim was not as truthful as had been reported. The impasse was resolved at the intervention of the President.

Security Minister, Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde, last month stopped police who were supervised an eviction of Panarama Bar in Naguru. He threatened to deploy counter forces if police proceeded to fire bullets and tear gas.

“How can you cause chaos in town? Why are you firing bullets in town? Now these are my instructions. Stop this otherwise we will be forced to bring counter forces to handle this situation,” Lt Gen Tumukunde is quoted saying.

Ekalungar murder suspects
On Sunday, the army announced they had made significant progress where police had had made none.
The army announced they had arrested at least 30 people over Ekalungar’s murder and subsequent incidents related to the homicide.
The deputy UPDF spokesperson, Lt Col Deo Akiiki, said the army had handed over the suspects to police for further handling.
The army intervention signals a failure or refusal of police to execute their mandate. However, this raises questions, especially given that Kitatta and his group had been committing crime with impunity and protection of the police. How does the public expect justice when the suspects have been handed over to their fathers?

Police chief Kale Kayihura has defended actions of Kitatta and his Boda Boda 2010. Appearing before Parliament recently, he praised Kitatta for doing a good job.

“Kitatta is a city politician. He is also a leader of boda boda riders that is how I know him, his group helps us curtail crime among boda boda riders. You remember during the 2011 walk to work protests? He is the one who helped us neutralise many of those boys that Opposition had recruited,” Gen Kayihura said when asked by MPs about his connections with Kitatta.

Can UPDF evidence help prosecution?

Human rights lawyer Nicolas Opio yesterday said there was no reason to celebrate the army action in arresting suspected criminals. 

“If the army is arresting for purposes of handing over suspects to the police, then fine. I doubt whether the army is trained to collect evidence to prosecute suspects in civil courts otherwise such actions show the army is overstepping its mandate,” Mr Opio said.

At the height of women killings in Wakiso, Mr Museveni and Gen Kayihura visited the places. But former chief spy with ESO, Mr David Pulkol, said such visits were mere political posturing but suggest lack confidence in police.

“This shows something big. If the President had the magic to stop these killings by his appearance, why had he not appeared earlier on?” Mr Pulkol asked.

By Misairi Thembo Kahungu & By Derrick Wandera

[Free Uganda]

Members of Boda Boda 2010 gang are on the run after the military arrested their leader Abdullah Kitatta

KAMPALA- Members of Boda Boda 2010 gang are on the run after the military arrested their leader Abdullah Kitatta and intensified the crackdown on others over the murder of Case Hospital accountant Francis Ekalungar.

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The deputy army spokesperson, Lt Col Deo Akiiki, said yesterday that the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) was hunting more members of the gang and would not rest until they have been apprehended.

“The operation is still ongoing and we are looking for more suspects who are still at large. We, however, want to assure you that whoever was involved in this crime shall be apprehended. We came in as army because when a person is killed in such a manner, we become concerned on whether it is a rebel group or terrorists,” Lt Col Akiiki said.

He was speaking at a joint army and police press conference at the government’s Media Centre.

The military has arrested close to 30 Boda Boda 2010 members since last Friday, including the gang patron, Mr Kitatta and his brother Huzair Kiwalabye following the gruesome murder of Ekalungar who was kidnapped, killed and burnt beyond recognition on January 2, as he took the hospital’s Shs15m to the bank.

The army said the crackdown on the suspects came after investigations directly linked Mr Kiwalabye to Ekalungar’s murder.

Lt Col Akiiki said other suspects, including Mr Kitatta, were arrested for trying to sabotage ongoing investigations with threats, protests and blocking roads.

“No one is above the law. Even if it is me as an army officer I can be arrested and prosecuted if I have committed an offence. These people thought they would interfere with investigations by blocking roads. That is not acceptable and cannot be allowed to happen,” Lt Col Akiiki said.

The police spokesperson, Mr Emilian Kayima, said the Case Hospital proprietor, Dr Sebbaale Kato, was yesterday intercepted as he headed to Entebbe International Airport to travel out of the country because his driver, Muzamiru Mawa, is a key suspect in the murder.

“His driver is among the key suspects in this case. We thought he will be needed in this investigation. That is why we stopped him from going out of the country. He will be let to go after we have got some information from him,” Mr Kayima said.

Police asked the public to avail all the relevant evidence for the trial of the suspects.
Asked whether the suspects would be prosecuted in the court martial, Lt Col Akiiki said it would depend on the outcomes of the investigations.

“Since the investigations are still on, we may get evidence that could sustain their trial in the army court, but as of now, all the evidence we have would enable our sister institution (police) to charge them in civil courts,” he said.

Lt Col Akiiki said the suspects would be scrutinised and those who are not linked to the murder would be released.

The army ransacked Boda Boda 2010 offices at the weekend in Wakaliga and recovered weapons such as machetes (pangas), knives, army uniforms and motorcycle number plates.

Mr Kayima warned the public against mob action after it was established that Boda Boda 2010 offices in Bukesa, Wakaliga and Makindye areas had been set ablaze by their rival factions.

[Free Uganda]

THE UGANDA'S DEVIL Yoweri Museveni CELEBRATES 32 OF DESTROYING UGANDA

32 years of bad leadership, oppression, marginalisation, Nepotism, Sectarianism, Corruption, War Crimes, Genocide, Forced Disappearance, RAPE etc etc . by Yoweri Museveni

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Why would you celebrate a day like that? That’s is not a day for Ugandans, that is YOWERI MUSEVENI and his fake liberation day, a day he set Uganda on trap of his destruction, now Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world

In 1972 Uganda’s economy was the same as of south Koreans but now Korean is million times a head of Uganda shame on you YOWERI MUSEVENI

You are using a metal chain to pull Uganda backwards.

Inform, educate, empower and inspire your friends, family and relatives.
We should not go by bandwagon influence of the goons who use States money to intimidate us.

Since Yoweri Museveni came on power, various parts of Uganda has been suffering from Ebola, poverty, nepotism, war crimes, genocides, massacre, murder, rape etc this is not because the people did want the situation but its because the government has got the poorest leadership skills of corruption, bribery and own self satisfaction of politicians.

Any politician who joins NRM automatically starts thinking of how to suck his money because, they survive by being stupid. This system has let and will let Uganda behind as long as YOWERI Museveni is on the throne.

Even the devil celebrates after its mission of destruction same Yoweri Museveni today celebrates his day of destroying Uganda.

If the Northern Uganda’s underdevelopment is blamed on prolong war then what about the forested areas of Bunyoro, West Nile, and Eastern Uganda which is totally undeveloped, why are they undeveloped, this is because Yoweri Museveni doesn’t care about the welfare of Uganda but how to extend his next seat of power.

Ugandans wake up.