Kahinda Otafiire on the assaulted traffic officer on duty

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen Kahinda Otafiire has asked the leadership of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to arrest the two military officers who assaulted a Uganda Police traffic officer on Monday evening.

Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on one of the local radios CBS FM, Gen Otafiire said it was now becoming a practice for members of the UPDF to assault members of Uganda Police who are executing their constitutional duties.

He added that as one of the members of the UPDF, they cannot allow members of the national army to start misbehaving like the past armies in the 70s. He added that both leaders of the sister forces are set to seat and find a way to why these Military officers assaulted their fellow officer. 

“They must be arrested immediately, I’m going to work on it, with both commanders. No one is above the law.” 

In the same scuffle, the military officer released a bullet which the eyewitnesses allege that he intended to shoot the traffic officer fortunately he missed him but it damaged a nearby vehicle, a Toyota Premio registration number UAR 308L which belonged to a civilian.

Commenting on the incident, the Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said the matter was taken up by higher authorities.

“The Military Police officers were stuck in the traffic jam and one of the crews got off the car and approached the traffic officer. He ordered the traffic officer to open the road for them but told them to be patient since there was a lot of traffic jam. To his surprise, he was just grabbed by the collar, a scuffle ensued and a bullet was discharged by the Military Police officer which damaged another car,” said Owoyesigyire.

The incident took place on Monday evening in the city centre near Mukwano Mall along Kyaggwe road when military police officers driving army green vehicle registration number D02DF08P ordered the traffic officer to clear the way for them. And according to the eyewitness, it was too unappropriated since there was no way out due to heavy traffic jam.

The eyewitnesses alluded that the traffic officer had told the military police officers to be patient as he clears traffic but one of them grabbed the traffic police officer by the collar and started dragging him.