Police, Army distance selves from security operatives captured brutally arresting suspect

Both the army and the police force have refused to admit that the security operatives seen in a video beating while arresting a suspect belong to any of the respective security agencies.

On Thursday afternoon, a video showing five security operatives armed with guns beating an unidentified man captured near Christ the King church in Kampala started circulating.

The video was captured by Record TV.

“Twagala mmotoka( we want the vehicle),”the four officers said as they hit the suspect with gun buts repeatedly all over his body including the kidney area as a number of people gathered to watch the proceedings.

Despite pleading for mercy and accepting to cooperate, the ruthless men continued beating the suspect before they dragged him into waiting taxi and drove off to an unknown destination leaving the public in shock.

A number of people including lawyer Nicholas Opiyo had pointed out to the Police Flying Squad operatives as having been behind the gruesome act but police refuted the claims.

Police spokesperson Emillian Kayima distanced the force from such inhuman acts noting that none of their men had been involved or near the operation.

“No, they are not police officers and we are looking for them,”Kayima said.

“The Police did not sanction of participate in that operation. What happened is unacceptable in a country like ours where rule of law is critical.”

The deputy army spokesperson, Lt.Col. Deo Akiiki too, though in not many words distanced the army from the men who have now becoming a ball as everyone is kicking them away from themselves.

“We are following up that incident as security agencies,”Lt.Col.Akiiki told the Nile Post.

Admit

However what is energizing is that both security agencies admitted that the acts of the five security operatives were inhuman and  need condemnation.

The fact that the police spokesperson said the actions of the unidentified security operatives were unacceptable and that they were looking for them is an indicator that the force does not condone the gruesome act.

The army on the other side saying that they are following up on the incident is also an indicator that they are concerned with the happenings on the day.

When asked to comment on the issue, AIGP Fred Yiga, the Director in charge of Interpol said the act was condemnable and barbaric.

“You look at it and feel disgusted, that can’t be the modus operandi,” he said without divulging more.

A number of similar incidents have in the past where plain clothed security operatives have arrested suspects in broad day light just like the incident near Christ the King.

In April this year, security operatives raided court and in an ugly scene, re-arrested Dr.Ismail Kalule shortly after being released on bail by the International Crimes Division of the High Court.

Kalule was among the people arrested in connection with the July 2010 Kampala twin blasts that killed over 70 people who were watching World Cup finals at Lugogo and Ethiopian village restaurant in Kabalagala but was acquitted of the charges by the court in May 2016 before being re-arrested by security.

Having been in detention for over a year, in February, Kalule applied for bail before Justice Moses Mukiibi released him pending his trial.

However, following his release, security operatives from the Joint Anti -Terrorism Taskforce(JATT) and counter terrorism police both in uniform and plain clothes  in an ugly scene forcefully grabbed him before bundling him into a nearby van and drove him away to an unknown direction.

In November 2017, plain clothed security operatives pounced on Ahmed Ssenfuka, a suspect n Kaweesi murder who had been bailed by Nakawa court, squeezed him in a premio car and drove off with him.

The gruesome incident by shabbily dressed security operatives happened at the Spear Motors Nakawa junction in broad day light.

The public is still worried over the manner of such arrests by members from the security agencies and will be waiting to find out what happens to the officers involved in the Thursday incident.

The Inspector General of Police recently issued new guidelines to be followed while arresting suspects.

“A police officer will not effect an arrest unless a formal complaint has been made. All arrests must be done with the full authorisation of the unit supervisors or commanders,” IGP Ochola said

According to Ochola, if proper guidelines are followed, incidents of scuffles between arresting officers and suspects will always be avoided.