Museveni orders trial of officers over Arua chaos

The Kyaddondo East MP, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. FILE PHOTO

Kampala-President Museveni has directed the Inspector General of Police, Mr Martins Okoth-Ochola, to charge police officers who were in charge of security during the Arua Municipality by-election in August.

Chaos broke out on the last day of the campaigns, leaving the driver of Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, killed and six other people injured.

The President’s vehicle was also allegedly pelted with stones and its hind screen shattered.

When contacted, the President’s senior press secretary, Mr Don Wanyama, denied knowledge of the directive.

However, police spokesperson Emilian Kayima confirmed that the officers would be charged before the Force’s disciplinary court.

“As soon as funds are available, we shall try them in our disciplinary courts,” Mr Kayima said when asked when the trial would start.
Earlier, sources reiterated to Daily Monitor that police are in panic following the directive.

“The trial should have commenced by now but the police court has been delayed because there is no money,” a source at police said, adding that the team was ready to move to Arua District but was being held back due to logistical problems.

Mr Dennis Odongping, who chaired the police court during the trial of former Buyende District police commander, the late Assistant Superintendent of Police Muhammed Kirumira, is set to try the officers.
Among those facing trial over neglect of duty are the former Arua Regional Police Commander, Mr Jonathan Musinguzi and the former Arua District police commander, Mr Abbas Ssenyondo.

Also to be tried is the officer in-charge of Arua traffic over neglect of duty.

The President had earlier suspended Mr Musinguzi, Mr Ssenyonjo, Mr Emmanuel Mugisha, the Regional Internal Security Officer and Mr Elly Tugaine, the District Internal Security Officer, in the aftermath of the chaos.

During the chaos, security personnel beat up people and arrested MPs Mr Kyagulanyi, Mr Kasiano Wadri (Arua Municipality), Mr Francis Zaake (Mityana) and Mr Gerald Karuhanga (Ntungamo).
The MPs and others are facing treason charges.