4 officers held over negligence

The policemen allegedly did not take action as a mob lynched a man and injured several others in a city suburb on Wednesday.

Four officers of Old Kampala Police Station have been arrested for allegedly looking on as a mob lynched several people in Kisenyi, a Kampala suburb.

Another nine people suspected to have participated in the same mob action have also been arrested on charges of murder and causing grievous harm.
The officers, all below the rank of Inspector of Police, are currently detained at Old Kampala Police Station for negligence.

On Wednesday, the officers allegedly failed to act as a mob attacked several Kisenyi dwellers suspected to be behind the stabbing of one Siraje Kaweesa to death.

The mob killed one person and left others with severe injuries.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Mr Andrew Felix Kaweesi, said the officers acted contrary to the Police Act, which requires them to protect lives and property of citizens regardless whether they are suspects or not.

Breach of law
“How can a police officer just look on when a citizen is being beaten to death? This is unacceptable. Police Professional Standards Unit is investigating the arrested officers and their superiors,” Mr Kaweesi said.
The incident started on Tuesday night when Kaweesa was stabbed by unknown thugs in Kisenyi and died later on his way to hospital.

His death sparked outrage among the mourners, who had gathered at his home in Lungujja, a city suburb. They picked sticks and stones and marched on to the scene of crime in Kisenyi.

“When they reached Kisenyi, they jumped off their vehicles and started beating people they suspected to be behind the stabbing of their colleague,” police said.

Mob action is on the rise in the country and police are looking at charging even journalists, who witness the killing without reporting to the police ,with charges of compounding a felony.

At least 466 people are killed in mob action annually, according to police reports.

abagala@ug.nationmedia.com