Buturo wants Kabale police officers probed
Kabale
Ethics and Integrity Minister Nsaba Buturo has warned two senior police in western Uganda investigated over what he called “unprofessional conduct” following a case in which an opposition politician was beaten allegedly by the police.
Dr Buturo wants Mr Charles Ssebambulidde, the Kabale police boss and Ms Olive Wabwire, the regional police commander investigated for allegedly ordering the beating of Ms Ingrid Turinawe, the Forum for Democratic Change Women’s League chairperson.
In an impromptu press conference in Kabale town at the weekend, Dr Buturo said the two officials, if found culpable, should face punishment for causing “a big damage to Uganda”.
Unbecoming behaviour
“A professional police force should remain calm even under extreme provocation,” Dr Buturo said. “I cannot imagine seeing police officers getting involved in physical mishandling of people. That is not the way to go.”
Ms Turinawe, who is also the chairperson of the Women’s League of the Interparty Cooperation, was last Friday hospitalised after she was allegedly beaten by the police in the run-up to the Rukiga by-election.
Forum for Democratic Change candidate Jack Sabiiti, NRM’s Adson Kakuru and independents, Amos Mugisha and Medard Gumisiriza are contesting for the seat which fell vacant following the death of Samuel Byanagwa in January.
“It is essential that the people are treated with dignity if we are to support Uganda’s young democracy,” Dr Buturo said. “The police must be professional because unprofessional police hurts NRM more.”
“Maintaining peace is not bad but using force to intimidate voters is very bad. Police should treat all the people equally,” he said.
Medical examination
Dr Buturo asked the Inspector General of Police Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura to investigate the two officers. “The IGP must get involved in this,” he said. “IGP must investigate this and if the two officers are guilty, we must be honest.”
Daily Monitor has learnt that Gen. Kayihura has also ordered Kabale District medical boss to carry out a medical examination on Ms Turinawe to establish her condition.
He has also ordered the DPC and the RPC to record statements at police as investigations into the matter start.
On Saturday night, a group of senior police officers arrived in Kabale from Kampala and said they had been ordered by IGP to carry out investigations into the matter, with the aim of ascertaining whether the DPC used unnecessary force.
In the presence of her lawyer, Abdu Katuntu, the investigators recorded a statement from Ms Turinawe that night.
The police deputy Director of Operations, Mr Grace Turyagumanawe confirmed to the Daily Monitor that the DPC was under investigation but said they were not ruling out the possibility that he acted under provocation. “Let us not trade blame because investigations into this case have started,” Mr Turyagumanawe said. “I am also getting reports that the DPC was beaten. It is only after investigations that we shall get the truth.”
