By Andrew Irumba
Two Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) officers guarding Rtd. Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza who were caught on camera assaulting a traffic police officer in Seeta,Mukono District Sunday afternoon have been arrested.
The two have ably been identified as RA/221607 L/CPL Bushindiki Peter and RA/230927 Pte Okurut John Robert.
According to army spokesperson, Brig Richard Karemire, the two are now detained at the military police headquarters in Makindye.
“We wish to inform the public that as investigations into circumstances that led to the Seeta incident continue, UPDF has arrested RA/221607 L/CPL Bushindiki Peter and RA/230927 Pte Okurut John Robert. They are now held at Military Police HQS. We reiterate our commitment to ensuring discipline of all ranks,” tweeted Karemire on his official handle.
On Sunday, Ugandans were shocked with images of military police guards assaulting a police officer identified as Sgt.Namaganda who had apparently blocked them from making a wrong U-turn.
Maj.Gen.Matayo Kyaligonza who is also Uganda’s ambassador to Burundi was caught on camera pointing his hand at the traffic officer as he got engrailed in the argument, though he wasn’t captured slapping the cop as the traffic officer has stated in her statement at police.
Namaganda, who was on duty, reportedly ordered the vehicle in which Kyaligonza was being chauffeured in to stop for flouting traffic regulations when he his driver allegedly made a U-turn at Seeta junction. The military guards would later rough up the traffic officer for trying to stop one of the 27 NRM guerrilla war historicals.
Peter Otai, a journalist working with Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) who was at the scene was also reportedly assaulted for taking photos of the incident.
“Those chaps made a U-turn at Seeta Taskys which is wrong and the woman stopped them. They jumped out and man handed her. I rushed to tell them it was wrong and I was beaten, kicked and even almost cut with a sword” posted Otai on his facebook account.
Meanwhile, the Defence Spokesperson Brigadier Richard Karemire regretted the incident and said the matter would be resolved between the army and police leadership.
“We have been informed of the incident involving a police traffic sergeant and UPDF military police soldiers. It’s a very regrettable and apologies to our police sister. UPDG and UPF are establishing the facts. Findings will guide action to be taken,” tweeted UPDF spokesperson Brig.Richard Karemire.
Kyaligonza is also a member of the High Command of Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF).
