Police officers accused of beating up supporters of Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, are expected to be produced in court today. According to a police source, criminal offences have been preferred against a range of police officers, who were seen beating civilians and their superiors who didn’t take action to stop the illegality.
A day after the ugly scenes, Police Chief, Gen Kale Kayihura, said the police command had authorised the beating that has been widely criticised as brutal and exposing citizens to inhuman and degrading treatment.
“The use of teargas, rubber bullets and of course bullets has been eliminated. The only options remaining for the commanders are use of water cannons or baton charge,” Gen Kayihura told journalists at the police headquarters, gesticulating a thrashing. “Because when you are beaten, you don’t die, but also beating in places that will not cause harm,” he added.
The decision to take police officers to court comes as government officials, civil society and opposition amount pressure on the police management to take action against its officers.
Police officers and crime preventers for two days running used sticks that are commonly used by cattle keepers to guide cattle to beat up helpless civilians, who were cheering the release of Dr Besigye on bail after spending two months on remand in Luzira prisons on treason charges.
The source declined to reveal the identity of the police officers targeted for fear of them running away. However, at least five senior officers including Kampala Metropolitan Police South Region commander, Mr Andrew Kagwa, recorded statements with the Professional Standards Unit of police on last Thursday.
On Sunday, NRM party secretary general Kasule Lumumba, also condemned the police officers’ actions saying those who were involved in the beatings of civilians should be brought to book.
“We condemn in the strongest term the recent brutal acts when police beat up innocent civilians, who were just watching Dr Besigye.
The person heading the police is a catholic. For us Catholics don’t behave that way,” Ms Lumumba said at Waluleeta, in Luweero District, pilgrim site where the youngest Uganda Martyr, St Kizito, was born.
Ms Lumumba asked the Catholic Church to talk to the police chief so that he can behave like a catholic.
The Monitor
UM– USEKE.RW
