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By Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura (email the author)
Posted Friday, February 3 2012 at 00:00
I read with profound shock the Daily Monitor story titled “Police is mandated to protect all citizens, including Journalists” published on January 30. Does the writer seriously believe that this is news to me?
Let me make it clear that the number one priority of the Uganda Police Force is to protect and serve all. Our role is to secure life and property in partnership with the public in a committed, professional manner in order to promote peace and development and guarantee the human and constitutional rights of all.
I would like to reiterate that we treat all people equally, citizens and journalists alike because at the end of the day, all are equal. At no point has any police officer ever been instructed to shoot at or manhandle members of the public, including journalists. Anyone who goes against the standard rules of engagement and takes the law into their own hands will face the full wrath of the law.
To this end, through various media, there have been allegations of Police harassment of journalists during public rallies and other events. Last week, I launched an investigation into allegations of a shot fired by police at Kalerwe, Kampala on Tuesday, January 24. This was in relation to, you may remember, the recent claims of Daily Monitor staffer Isaac Kasamani, who alleges that he was shot [at] by one of my police officers whilst covering the walk –to- work rallies.
At the press conference on Saturday January 28, I personally asked him to come forward and make a formal personal witness statement with police. On top of my call, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, James Baba, implored this gentleman to come forward and pursue justice.
I appointed the Police Professional Standards Unit (PPSU) to act as an investigative body. I am in constant contact with the PPSU in relation to this investigation and I have instructed them to immediately report back to me when any advances are made in this case.
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Let me reiterate that any threats or unprofessional acts of any police officer cannot go unpunished once reported, investigated and found to be true. However, these acts must be reported. I have several times in the past arrested and instructed the arrest of police officers who have broken the law. Several police officers to date are serving prison sentences after being found guilty in a court of law by their peers.
No one in the Uganda Police Force is above the law. I ordered the fresh arrest and re-trial of former Mukono District Police Commander James Aurien, who murdered his wife and is now serving a life sentence in Luzira. Also, the police constable Alfred Achikane who shot at our local artiste Bebe Cool has been given nine years in Luzira. These and more demonstrate that we do not segregate or promote indiscipline among police officers.
Mr Kasamani spoke at the press briefing on Saturday and gave public and personal assurances to both myself and Minister Baba in front of a crowded room of domestic and international journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, that on Tuesday he would present himself to make a formal witness statement so we have the basis for a comprehensive investigation.
Obviously he is not frightened of making contact with the police or making a statement, if he was, he would not have given such public assurances. He failed to do so as agreed.
If I were in the same position as Mr Kasamani and believed that an attempt was made on my life, I would not wait more than a week to report an issue of such magnitude to the authorities. While the investigation is continuing, there is no corroborative evidence to support Mr Kasamani’s claims. In the absence of his statement police have little to investigate.
Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura is the Inspector General of Police.
Mr Kasamani was reluctant to present himself to the same body whose officers had allegedly shot at him. It is not true that he defied summons. We look forward to an independent and thorough investigations and will cooperate fully.
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