Police commanders, goons in stick scandal named

Kampala. Ugandans were on Wednesday treated to shocking scenes of police officers caning hapless supporters of Opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, in separate incidents in Kampala.
Police chief Kale Kayihura called a press conference at the police headquarters in Naguru on Thursday afternoon and indicated that the beating of civilians, which has been widely condemned by the public and human rights activists, had been sanctioned by the Force’s top command.

Gen Kayihura could not explain how operatives in plain clothes appeared to take the lead in beating unarmed members of the public, saying he had instructed Mr Fortunate Habyara, the commander Professional Standards Unit, to investigate the entire incident where plain clothed men have beaten up citizens during operations.
But who are the commanders in the controversial flogging fracas?

Tandeka Rwabwere

While the latest police brutality was coordinated and overseen by senior police officers, in command of the plain clothed goons was a man who has since been identified as Dan Tandeka Rwabwere, an ex-guard in Iraq. He is said to have worked as a guard in the green zone installation of Al Anbar province of Iraq, and also at High Occupancy Facilities (DFAQ) and in the escorts department. According to police sources, Mr Tandeka is now a “crime preventer” attached to Entebbe police. He is said to originate from Butembererwa Kenshunga in Kiruhura District.

James Ruhweza

In the overall command of those seen on the streets ordering or participating in the beating of Dr Besigye’s supporters on Wednesday was Mr James Ruhweza, who hours to the announcement of the February 18 poll results, was appointed by Gen Kayihura as the Kampala Metropolitan Area Operations commander.
Mr Ruhweza became prominent for his active role in suppressing the walk-to-work protests in 2011. He is never shy of making loud orders to his officers and men to reign in the public, for example, on Tuesday, he nearly slapped the Divisional Field Operations commander for Kasangati, Mr Fred Ahimbisibwe, for what he called allowing musician Robert Kyagulanyi, aka, Bobi Wine to make a procession from Dr Besigye’s home on Tuesday.

Geoffrey Kaheebwa

Deputy RPC Kampala South Geoffrey Kaheebwa had his hands full. Outside State House Nakasero, Mr Kaheebwa personally ordered his officers to beat anybody, including journalists trying to follow Dr Besigye. At Mulago roundabout, Mr Kaheebwa commandeered his police patrol pick-up truck to block the road.
Here, he jumped out, and together with his officers, swung into action - beating anybody they could land their hands on. Journalists seated on boda boda motorcycles too were not spared. Mr Kaheebwa’s patrol truck would go on up to Dr Besigye’s home in Kasangati caning people who waved to the former presidential candidate along the way.

Samuel Bamuzibire

Another officer in command during the Entebbe Road beatings was Senior Superintendent of Police Samuel Bamuzibire, the Field Force Unit commander Kampala Metropolitan Area. Unlike his colleagues, Mr Bamuzibire, was holding a hand gun in one hand and a phone in the other as he issued orders.
During Dr Besigye’s recent trial at Kasangati Magistrates Court, Mr Bamuzibire claimed he, like Dr Besigye, was a Colonel but failed to explain when he was tasked to by Dr Besigye’s lawyers. He also acknowledged in court that flashing the “V” FDC sign and making processions were not illegal, despite earlier claims.

Jonathan Baroza

Sighted on the scene on Wednesday was Jonathan Baroza, a personal assistant to IGP Kayihura. He has been linked to a group of stick-wielding masked goons dubbed “Team No Sleep”, who have on several occasions terrorised people in Kampala, especially Opposition supporters. He coordinates logistics for the group. He was on Tuesday, according to a source, giving orders to the police officers on what to do. Mr Baroza is among some of the police officers who are currently a subject of an investigation by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) following the controversial February promotion of 496 police officers in which he was made to skip two ranks and promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Aaron Baguma

The Central Police Station Commander, who was very much in command when Dr Besigye was brought to court for a decision on his bail application early this week, also enthusiastically managed the after events, including beating of civilians. He is no stranger to controversy. Mr Baguma, whose elevation to the rank of Superintendent of Police in the controversial February police promotions, is also a subject of an investigation by the IGG. He was promoted despite being on charges of murder preferred by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for his role in killing of businesswoman Betty Katushabe last year over an unresolved Shs9m debt for a vehicle she had bought from Pine car depot in Kampala.
Police has since refused to produce Mr Baguma before court to answer to the charges despite DPP Mr Mike Chibita’s insistence that the beleaguered police commander will be charged with murder because “he is not above the law”. Mr Baguma continues to command police operations in Kampala with the tacit approval of the police authorities as the DPP looks on helplessly.

Albert Muhumuza

Fresh from jail after being arrested for shooting a Kampala Capital City Authority employee, Mr Albert Muhumuza, dubbed Dr Besigye’s ‘tracker’, was at it again. Mr Muhumuza, a Special Police Constable, who rarely puts on a police uniform, occasionally issued orders to his superiors, including police commanders on what to do.

Andrew Kaggwa

On Wednesday, Mr Kaheebwa was again part of the police team commanded by his boss Mr Andrew Kaggwa that beat up and dispersed people who had gathered on the rails that divide Entebbe Road to wave at Dr Besigye as he made his way to the party headquarters.
Like Mr Ruhweza, Mr Kaggwa was also appointed RPC Kampala Metropolitan South hours to the announcement of the results of the February 18 presidential polls. On Wednesday, Mr Kaggwa deployed his officers and men, all armed with AK47s, tear gas canisters and sticks. He was seen in conversation with one of the plain-clothed goons, who would later join police officers in beating up Dr Besigye’s supporters.
When Dr Besigye was about to reach FDC offices in Najjanankumbi, Mr Kaggwa, armed with a stick, led a team of about 20 policemen to go and meet the oncoming crowd. They surrounded some of the people following Dr Besigye and the beating began. Mr Kaggwa personally participated in the beating of the unarmed supporters, especially boda boda cyclists.

Siraje Bakaleke

Also in active command was Kampala Metropolitan East regional police commander Siraje Bakaleke. Mr Bakaleke is no stranger to controversy. He, for example, in the run up to the February 18 presidential polls, urged residents of Mukono District to vote President Museveni in the 2016 presidential elections. He said Mr Museveni was the only one who can ensure peace and stability in the country. Police officers are not allowed to engage in partisan politics.

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