By Andrew Irumba
Fort Portal: A total of three UPDF bodyguards assigned to ‘greedy and controversial’ Tooro Kingdom Queen mother, Best Kemigisa Akiiki have been arrested and detained at Muhote Barracks reportedly on the orders of UPDF commander Land Forces, Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga for allegedly participating in illegal land evictions reportedly on orders of their boss, Queen Kemigisa.
The illegal evictions, which have been ongoing clandestinely for years in Kitumba Ngombe, a Fort Portal suburb saw Queen mother displace dozens of families, destroy their banana plantations, and detain several in connivance with some elements in security, especially in the police.
However, the trio’s luck ran out last Sunday night when they went to evict an 80yr old John Masiko, who not only was born there but also buried his parents and other relatives there.
Reliable sources told our Spy in Fort Portal that Queen Mother’s most trusted bodyguards only identified as privates; Okech and Peter were picked from the scene at night as they attempted to evict the above mentioned old man at night, reportedly on orders of the Queen mother who was commanding via phone calls. According to our sources, Lt Gen. Kayanja, after getting a distress call from the victims at night, and learning that it was being carried out by members of UPDF to which community he belongs and whose image he jealously guards, ordered for their arrest.
WATCH VIDEO; Former District Council Fort Portal South Division, Joram Bintamanya (Ogwe Kyoma) Addressing Queen Mother’s Land Eviction Victims Recently When He Urged Them To Resist Illegal Evictions & Instead Fight Back.
According to our sources, the commander of Queen mother’s bodyguards, only known as Capt. Kasimbazi, who was on the ground escaped the arrest that night, but two of his Juniors mentioned above were netted. However, on Friday morning, our sources confirmed that Kasimbazi was also arrested yesterday while hiding in Bombo Barracks and as we speak he’s being transferred to Muhote Barracks where the other two are being detained as investigations continue.
Army Speaks Out About The Arrest
Speaking to Maj. Bilal Katamba, the Spokesperson of UPDF 1st Division, on Wednesday, he confirmed that the duo was arrested on allegations of participating in an illegal land eviction and that investigations were ongoing. “Yes we have them in Muhote and investigations are ongoing. Army has no role in land evictions,” Katamba said.
He added thus; “We have withdrawn our staff from her for now”.
