Kayihura sued over NRM youth

Gen Kale Kayihura,

What you need to know:

The petitioner wants court to declare that the police chief is not fit and proper to serve the UPDF and also hold the post as IGP, among other things.

Kampala- A citizen, Mr Rodgers Besigye, has sued the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, claiming he usurped the powers of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) structures to discipline its errant members.

In the petition filed before the Constitutional Court, Mr Besigye, alleges that in April this year, Gen Kayihura in the capacity of IGP, ordained himself powers of an investigating officer to interrogate a one Alex Kasirivu, the NRM chairperson of Kayunga District, on his involvement in soliciting support for Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi’s supposed candidacy for the ruling NRM party chairmanship and presidency in 2016 polls.

“… during the interview, the respondent unlawfully constituted himself into the NRM party’s disciplinary and or complaints desk to convene, hear and offer solution to disputes emanating from the party and yet the party has got its rightfully established structures designed to attend to the like matters of which the respondent is not party,” reads the complaint.

Through his lawyers of Tropical Law Advocates, Mr Besigye wants court to declare unconstitutional Gen Kayihura declaring himself as President Museveni’s agent, luring Mr Kasirivu to spy against Mr Mbabazi’s supporters as well as designing strategies on how to triumph against Mr Mbabazi within the NRM party.

“A declaration that the act by the respondent (Kayihura) of disparaging, demeaning and bankrolling one faction against another is inconsistent with the Constitution,” adds the petition.

It is alleged that actions of Gen Kayihura, a serving military general of the UPDF to support the candidature of President Museveni by designing strategies tighter with Mr Kasirivu where he sought his advice on how to triumph against the impending opposing force within the NRM party, contravenes the constitution.

“That in a bid to work together and achieve the common goal, the respondent issued cash of Shs1 million to a one Kasirivu and another to Shs3 million for another group as facilitation to defeat Mr Mbabazi’s bid to contest for national chairperson and presidency of the republic of Uganda,” reads the complaint.

While seeking for court orders to restrain Gen Kayihura from the questioned actions against Mr Mbabazi, the petitioner wants court to declare that the police chief is not also fit and proper to serve the UPDF and also hold the post as IGP.

He also wants an order to direct Gen Kayihura to be discharged of his duties in public interest from UPDF and as the IGP as a person unfit to serve in the said offices.
The petition pending response from Gen Kayihura comes amid ongoing debate over NRM leadership since MPs resolved to support President Museveni’s sole presidential candidature for the 2016.

Dubbed ‘Kyankwanzi resolution’ it saw NRM parliamentary caucus endorse President Museveni to stand unopposed for the party presidency in 2016.

In the wake of the debate audio tapes leaked where Mr Kayihura was heard interviewing Mr Kasirivu and others on Mr Mbabazi’s supposed candidacy.