The Police have instituted inquiries in response to a video footage that emerged of a police pick-up, appearing to have knocked and brushed a man to the roadside.
“The alleged victim, who is still unidentified, was maliciously charged and kicked at by another unidentified man with a helmet and in civilian attire, whom many claim to be part of security. The video by a civilian journalist was kept quiet until when it was released yesterday by the media, from a previous public order incident, with traces of alleged police brutality, for which disciplinary court hearings were taking place,” said Police spokesperson Mr Fred Enanga.
According to Mr Enanga, the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) of Police has reviewed the video footage and “is working hard to identify the victim, the police pick-up, its driver and car commander, which officers will have to be suspended from operational duties, pending outcome of the investigations. It will in addition, use the video to justify evidence of professional misconduct by selected officers undergoing disciplinary court processes.”
“Although, many questions about our policing and accountability have been asked in the last one month, we highly encourage the filming and release of videos on sensitive police related incidents, as a very important step in promoting transparency in the course of our duties; provided it does not interfere with a police officer on duty, and or refusal to obey a lawful order, obstruct an arrest or police action among others. This is consistent with our commitment to increased transparency through various rectification campaigns, which is essential in rebuilding and strengthening our trust with the public’s we police,” Mr Enanga added in a statement issued on Saturday.
He further noted that police officers are being advised on the minimum use of force, through better communication especially intense and fast moving public order policing situations.
“For this we are confident of our ability to continue protecting the safety and security of all Ugandans and visitors, whom we request not to judge the entire police force by the actions of a few bad officers,” he added.
This comes just a day after former Kampala Metropolitan operations Commander James Ruhweza on testified against his fellow commanders in the police disciplinary court on charges of discrediting the police image when they beat up Dr Kizza Besigye’s supporters about three weeks ago.
Mr Ruhweza on Friday told the police court that he learnt about the beating of civilians through a telephone call from Mr Jonathan Baroza, the personal assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura.
The officers facing trial are Mr Moses Nanoka, former Wandegeya Division police commander, Mr Andrew Kaggwa, former Kampala Metropolitan South region police commander, Mr Samuel Bamuzibire, former Field Force Unit commander, Mr Patrick Muhumuza, former Field Operations commander at Katwe Police Station, constables Kenneth Muhangi, Moses Agaba, Sula Kato, Willy Karyango, Robert Wanzala and Dan Tandeka, a crime preventer.
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