A police officer who accused senior Kampala Metropolitan Police commanders of ordering the release of a violent suspect has been arrested over what police describe as scandalous behaviour.
Corporal Fatina Mukolerwa, attached to the child and family protection unit at Kasangati police station, made the allegations in a social media video that has since gone viral.
Mukolerwa accused Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) commander ACP Ezekiel Ebapu Emitu of irregularly ordering the release of a suspect who had allegedly assaulted and bitten her during an arrest authorised by the state attorney.
Mukolerwa said she was investigating a domestic violence case dating back to 2023 and registered at Kasangati police station under CRB 70/2024. The complainant, identified only as Frank, is the husband of the suspect, Sylvia Arinaitwe.
According to Mukolerwa, the case had stalled after an earlier attempt by police to arrest Arinaitwe was abandoned when she allegedly became violent. She said the complainant later returned to police seeking assistance, prompting her, as the investigating officer, to seek guidance from the state attorney.
Mukolerwa said the state attorney directed police to arrest the suspect and record her statement before the file could be sanctioned.
She said she was subsequently tasked to carry out the arrest alongside two other officers, with the assistance of the area chairperson. Mukolerwa alleged that Arinaitwe resisted arrest, became violent and bit her hands before she was eventually overpowered and taken to Kasangati police station.
She claimed that while at the station, Arinaitwe threatened that she had influential connections and would soon be released.
According to Mukolerwa, the suspect called an unnamed brigadier, who allegedly contacted ACP Emitu. She said Emitu subsequently called the Kasangati Division Police Commander and directed that Arinaitwe be released.
“The woman called a certain brigadier, who called the KMP commandant, and the suspect was released at around 10 pm. At the moment I’m on PEP because I was advised that the suspect could be having HIV infection. I’m so disappointed with my commanders,” Mukolerwa said in the video.
She further claimed that Arinaitwe had two cases, including one involving an alleged assault on police officers, and questioned why she was released at night.
Police reject irregular-release claim
KMP deputy spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire dismissed the claim that Arinaitwe’s release was irregular.
Owoyesigyire confirmed that Arinaitwe had been arrested and that a scuffle occurred during the arrest. He said another confrontation later occurred at the police station, where Mukolerwa was restrained by fellow officers.
He said police subsequently established that children had been left unattended outside the residence during the arrest.
Owoyesigyire added that Arinaitwe told police that her husband was using the criminal case to evict her and the children from their marital home and sell the property.
“The suspect also alleged that her husband, who is the complainant, was using the situation to remove her and the children from their marital home and put the property up for sale. In view of the circumstances, the suspect was bonded to enable her to take care of the children as the matter proceeds in accordance with the law,” Owoyesigyire said.
He said the circumstances surrounding the arrest and Mukolerwa’s conduct during the incident remain under investigation and that appropriate action would be taken based on the findings.
Owoyesigyire said police management had taken note of the viral video but reminded officers that there are established administrative and professional channels for raising grievances against commanders.
He said officers should use those channels rather than resorting to social media. Owoyesigyire described the conduct exhibited in the video as inappropriate and said police would take appropriate action after completing the investigations.