Police suspend officers for violently arresting Buvuma district Woman MP

Police have suspended 11 of its commanders from Buvuma district for allegedly violently assaulting Suzan Nakaziba Mugabi, the woman Member of Parliament (MP) of the district. The MP (National Unity Platform) was recently arrested while celebrating the district’s belated women’s day.

The law enforcers together with UPDF, last week, violently dispersed a crowd that had gathered to celebrate the district’s belated Women’s Day celebrations. The woman MP later sustained several injuries. She was admitted to the hospital with other NUP supporters.

Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, noted that the directive issued by the Inspector General of Police, John Martins Okoth Ochola, will see 11 senior police commanders in the district suspended.

They include the acting Regional Police Commander, Superintendent of Police, Jamal Kanyesigye, the DPC, Superintendent of Police Michael Bagoole and other commanders below them.

“During the enforcement of that unlawful assembly, there are disturbing images that went viral that captured some of our officers using excessive force during the arrest of some of the suspects. They have first of all been removed from their duties and asked to report to the Professional Standards Unit headquarters for further investigation,” he said.

Enanga added that the Inspector General of Police has instructed the Professional Standards Unit to open an investigation into the alleged beating and torture of the Buvuma Woman MP and some of her supporters.

He highlighted that before the event, there were disagreements involving two teams – one was led by Buvuma district women’s council chairperson, Betty Nakyobe, and the other was led by the Woman MP Buvuma.

When security intervened, it asked the teams to harmonise the arrangements including venue, invitees and who the guest of honour would be.

“It was against that background that this function was halted but surprisingly, Nakaziba defied the guidance. This prompted security to arrest the woman MP Buvuma along with her supporters.” Enanga said.