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Maj Gen Kyaligonza survives arrest for assaulting traffic officer
Uganda’s ambassador to Burundi, Maj Gen (rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza and his bodyguards have survived arrest as ordered by Mukono Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of assault and obstruction of a police officer on duty. FILE PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Maj Gen (rtd) Kyaligonza and his two bodyguards are alleged to have assaulted Ms Esther Namaganda in Seeta, Mukono District on February 24, 2019.
Uganda’s ambassador to Burundi, Maj Gen (rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza and his bodyguards have survived arrest as ordered by Mukono Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of assault and obstruction of a police officer on duty.
The High Court has halted proceedings against Maj Gen Kyaligonza and his bodyguards Cpl Peter Busindiche and Pte John Okurut in Mukono Chief Magistrate Court which had issued a warrant of arrest against them for defying court summons.
“The warrant of arrest issued under criminal case No. 312 of 2019 and all proceedings there under be stayed pending the determination of the main application for revision,” reads the order of the High Court signed by deputy registrar on July 24, 2019.
The application came up for final disposal before Justice Margaret Mutonyi in the presence of Maj Gen Kyaligonza’s lawyers Mr David Balondemu, Mr Evans Ochieng, Mr Kalid Mpata and state attorney, Mr Jonathan Muwaganya.
Maj Gen (rtd) Kyaligonza and his two bodyguards are alleged to have assaulted Ms Esther Namaganda in Seeta, Mukono District on February 24, 2019.
This was after Sgt Namaganda stopped Maj Gen Kyaligonza’s driver from making a U-turn in the middle of the road in Seeta, Mukono District.
The two guards were later charged in the army disciplinary court. At the same time, the three were summoned in Mukono Court on assault and obstruction charges but they failed to show up for trial prompting the chief magistrate to issue warrant for their arrest.
The police, however, didn’t take efforts to arrest Maj Gen Kyaligonza, who sits on the high command of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), despite interacting with him often at public events.
Maj Gen Kyaligonza’s lawyers challenged the Mukono Chief Magistrate’s Court orders in the High Court saying it was double jeopardy.
After the assault, MPs asked the executive to recall Maj Gen Kyaligonza from his ambassadorial job in Burundi in addition to women activists who made similar demands.
