Two victims of police beatings sue Kayihura

Police officers beat up boda boda cyclist in Kampala recently. File photo

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The duo also claim that the police during the resultant violence, confiscated and damaged their bicycle and motorcycle, respectively, thereby violating their right to work to which they also claim compensation for loss of work

Kampala. Two victims of the recent police brutal beatings have sued the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, and seven other police commanders.
The victims, Mr Ronald Muhereza and Mr Michael Nyesiga, have petitioned High Court seeking for Shs50m compensation each.
Gen 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.
Most of the sued officers are accused of issuing orders to beat up supporters of former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye, as he travelled to the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi.
In their suit filed yesterday, Mr Muhereza and Mr Nyesiga state that the actions of the police officers, in surrounding them and mercilessly beating them up at the junction from Busaabala Road to Najjanankumbi on Entebbe Road as they cheered Dr Besigye, was unconstitutional.

The duo also claim that the police during the resultant violence, confiscated and damaged their bicycle and motorcycle, respectively, thereby violating their right to work to which they also claim compensation for loss of work.
“The action by the police and other security operatives on the July 13 of encircling boda boda riders at the junction from Busaabala Road to Najjanankumbi off Entebbe Road and wantonly, brutally, arbitrarily, angrily and violently beating, forcing them to abandon their motorcycles and later confiscating those motorcycles constituted a violation of their right to work, livelihood and an adequate standard of living which is protected under Articles 22 (1) and 45 of the Constitution,” reads in part the court documents.

The two victims through their lawyers, are also seeking for a court declaration that the said police commanders are unfit to be in the Force and should be dismissed with disgrace.
“The defendants are not fit and proper persons to be police officers of Uganda Police Force and shall be dismissed from the Force immediately,” the petition reads in part.
Early last week, for two days running, the police mercilessly beat up Dr Besigye’s supporters who spontaneous gathered to applaud him in excitement.

On the first day, Besigye had just been released from Luzira prison on bail while on the second day, he was leaving Nakawa Magistrate’s Court where his treason case had been heard.
Following the telecasting of the horrid footage of several television stations and criticism by human rights groups and citizens, Gen Kayihura applauded Mr Kaggwa and his team for stopping the crowds from “spilling over to Entebbe Road”.
He said the beatings had been sanctioned by the Force and that tear gas and rubber bullets have been eliminated.
However, yesterday Parliament as well as government condemned police for its high handedness. Some of the sued police officers are facing charges in the police disciplinary court on the same incidents and of “bringing in disrepute the police force’s name”.