Minister leads Kisoro pro-Kayihura protests

KISORO.

Local leaders from Kisoro District have petitioned President Museveni to save the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, from being prosecuted over alleged torture in relation to brutal beating of supporters of Opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Kampala by police recently.

On Monday local leaders in Kisoro District led by the State minister for Regional Cooperation, Dr Philemon Mateke, marched through the streets of Kisoro Town in protest of the prosecution of Gen Kayihura, who hails from the district.

Carrying placards declaring Gen Kayihura’s innocence, the demonstrators said whatever Gen Kayihura is doing, he does it on behalf of the State and therefore the State should be sued in case anybody is aggrieved with the actions of the police.

“We kindly ask President Museveni to save Gen Kale Kayihura from being prosecuted because we feel that all that he is doing is on behalf of government because of his appointment as the Inspector General of Police in line with keeping law and order and if anyone is aggrieved of his actions he/she should take the government in court not Gen Kayihura as an individual,” Mr Expedito Byensi, a former Kisoro District council speaker, said.

Dr Mateke asked the Director of Public Prosecution and the courts of law to throw out the case against Gen Kayihura, saying the charges are aimed at intimidating and scaring the police force from doing its duty of keeping law and order.

Dr Mateke, who is also the NRM party chairman for Kisoro District, claimed the charges against Gen Kayihura are aimed at weakening the ruling NRM government and causing anarchy so that the Opposition can qualify their claims of a failed state.

“The police are doing a commendable job in keeping law and order.

Hundreds of people lining up on the streets of Kampala celebrating the release of the Opposition leader (Dr Kizza Besigye) would cause chaos and may lead the country into anarchy if the police had not intervened. The isolated mistakes in the police force as always seen in the developed countries should not lead into the prosecution of the IGP whom I feel is doing a commendable job,” Dr Matake said.

Mr John Bosco Nfitundinda, a resident, said those accusing Gen Kayihura in courts of law are jealous of his achievements.

Co-accused

Gen Kale Kayihura is sued along with senior police officers James Ruhweza (Kampala North Regional police boss), Andrew Kaggwa, (Kampala South Regional boss) and Samuel Bamuzibire, (Kampala Metropolitan Field Force unit commander).

Others sued are Geoffrey Kaheebwa (Deputy Regional Police Commander, Kampala South), Aaron Baguma (Kampala Central Police Station commander), Jonathan Baroza, (personal Assistant to IGP Kayihura) and Daniel Tandeka Rwabwere.

The sued officers are accused of issuing orders to beat supporters of former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye, as he travelled to the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi.