Maj.Gen.Kyaligonza to be charged with assault, obstructing police officer on duty
The Magistrates Court in Mukono has issued criminal summons against Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi, Maj.Gen.Matayo Kyaligonza.
The court’s Chief Magistrate, Juliet Hatanga issued the criminal summons on Wednesday against Kyaligonza and his co- accused who include his UPDF bodyguards.
Charges
According to the charge sheet, Kyaligonza,73, is accused together with Private John Robert Okurut and Lance Corporal Peter Bushenbich of bodily harm contrary to section 236 of the Penal Code Act.
“On the 24th day of February 2019 at Seeta Trading Centre in Mukono district, Maj.Gen.Kyaligonza unlawfully assaulted Sgt.Esther Namaganda thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm,” the charge sheet reads in part.
The group is also charged with common assault and obstruction of a police officer in the execution of duty contrary to section 238(b) of the Penal Code Act.
“You wilfully obstructed Sgt.Esther Namaganda , a police officer who at the time was acting in the due execution of her duty.”
The Ambassador’s woes followed an incident in February when Kyaligonza and his two military police guards were seen in a video clip assaulting Sgt. Esther Namaganda for stopping them from making a U- turn in the middle of the road in Seeta .
The two military police officers were arrested and detained at Makindye military barracks according to the army spokesperson. It is not clear how far their case has gone.
Recently, a Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) journalist sued Kyaligonza for assaulting and torturing him while on duty.
“As a journalist and concerned citizen, the second applicant (Otai) run to the scene and demanded to know from the first respondent (Kyaligonza) why his guards including Corporal Peter Bushindiki and Priv. Robert Okurut were assaulting a female police officer on duty. At the same time, he begun taking photos of the situation for purposes of filing a press story later about the incident,” the court documents presented by Peter Otai read.
“No sooner had he started taking photos, than Kyaligonza and his bodyguards pounced and beat him. The respondents are commanded by Article 202 and 212 of the 1995 constitution to observe, respect, uphold, protect and promote fundamental human rights and freedoms but their impugned actions fell short of the said obligations.”
Parliament recently passed a resolution in which it asked for the recalling of Kyaligonza from Burundi as Uganda’s Ambassador for behaving in an embarrassing manner.
On Monday, Kyaligonza said the MPs who moved a motion to have him recalled are stupid.
“The MP who moved motion for my recall is stupid. You can quote me on that,” he said.
“I am shocked at the manner in which parliament handled my fate. How can a house with MPs who jump over chairs and do many dubious things pre -judge me without a chance to be heard,” Kyaligonza wondered.
He threatened to sue journalists and their respective media houses for defamation over the way they covered the matter.
