Police speak out on Kanyeihamba, bodyguard fiasco

Retired Supreme Court Justice, Prof George William Kanyeihamba has dismissed reports that he was held hostage in his house by one of his police bodyguards.
Our reporter who visited Prof Kanyeihamba’s home in Buziga, Kampala City said he was safe and free.

Prof Kanyeihamba’s guard had earlier reportedly refused to hand over his gun to the retire judge before going for his grandfather’s burial, which reportedly caused a scuffle between him and the retired Justice.
Reports had indicated that the outspoken former Supreme Court justice was being held hostage in his house by one of his bodyguards.
In a Friday statement, police described the scuffle as a ‘minor incident’ adding that a Justice has got a new guard.

“Today, there was a minor incident that happened at Prof. George Kanyehamba's resident in Buziga, Kampala City. A police guard at the retired Judge's home lost his father and he requested his principal, who is Prof. Kanyehamba, to allow him go for the burial. Retired Justice Kanyehamba ordered him to hand over the gun to him, which the guard rejected,” reads part of the statement.

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“According to our standing orders, a police officer isn't allowed to hand over his firearm to unauthorised persons. The retired Justice ordered other workers to lock the gate and not to allow the guard to leave. The police guard called his superiors, who went to the residence and he handed over his gun to them before a new guard was deployed to cover his beat,” the statement says.

The guard has reportedly been given pass leave to go and attend the burial of his father.
The police statement say that it is unfortunate that the retired Justice decided to alarm the public that he is being held hostage well knowing that he is the one who ordered his other workers to lock the gate.

This is not the first time Mr Kanyeihamba and his guards have clashed.
In 2017, Mr Kanyeihamba accused his Very Important Persons Protection Unit (VIPPU) guard of attempting to harm him.
He told police that the guard had entered his bedroom uninvited and attacked him but members of his household and bodyguard overpowered him.