Police chief Kale Kayihura last week taunted Nakawa MP Michael Kabaziguruka, who he accused of gate-crashing an event in his own constituency.
The drama played out in the city suburb of Bugolobi, just after Gen Kayihura arrived to launch a police post donated by the community to help tame crime. FDC MP Kabaziguruka stood with officials to welcome the inspector general of police.
Kayihura greeted the three senior police officers in the line, including AIGP Fred Yiga and Kampala Metropolitan commander Frank Mwesigwa. However, when the IGP got to Kabaziguruka, the fourth person, he declined to shake the legislator’s extended hand.
“Kabaziguruka, how come you are also here? Who invited you to my function? This is not an FDC function,” Kayihura charged at the MP, who faces treason charges in the General Court Martial. “You are a suspect; who told you to come here? I did not invite you.”
In response, Kabaziguruka reminded the police chief that as the elected area MP, he had “full authority” to attend any function in his constituency.
“Afande IGP, I have not committed a treason case to come here,” said Kabaziguruka. “I was elected by the people of Nakawa and they called me to attend their function; so, I did not need permission from you to come here,” he said.
Kayihura then jokingly responded: “Kumbe you are in Parliament now. I did not know. Since you are the [Nakawa] people’s representative, I have no objection.”
It is at that point that Kayihura finally extended his hand to greet Kabaziguruka. Thereafter, the two walked side-by-side to the VIP tent. Kabaziguruka later told The Observer that Kayihura was trying to intimidate him but “there is no way he could chase me from the function since I am the area MP”.
EFFECTIVE FORCE
In his speech, MP Kabaziguruka thanked the police for its work.
“I know I have personal issues with police but I will not mention them here. Otherwise, they are doing a good job of providing security to people and fighting crime in society,” he said.
Kayihura, for his part, said his new year resolution is to ensure that police are more effective.
“Any commander who is not ready to push things this year should leave police before he is sacked,” he said.
“The biggest challenge with police is that when someone is appointed a commander, RPC, DPC, they sit in office and start giving orders. This habit must stop,” he said.
According to Kayihura, police must work with the community to identify problems and resolve them before they escalate into bigger challenges.
COURT MARTIAL TRIAL BLOCKED
Meanwhile, the army’s General Court Martial (GMC) has promised to honour Tuesday’s Constitutional court decision suspending Kabaziguruka’s trial for treason. Speaking to The Observer by telephone, GCM registrar John Bizimana said they had not yet got the court order.
“We will honor the Constitutional court ruling to stay the trial if we are served,” Bizimana said.
Kabaziguruka has a pending Constitutional court petition arguing that the GCM is not a court of judicature and, therefore, should not try him.
“It’s good news for me and the people of Uganda who cherish the rule of law,” Kabaziguruka said of Tuesday’s court order. “I will never accept to be subjected to an illegal trial by the Court Martial because our Constitution is very clear on what a court is.”
Kabaziguruka was arrested on June 8 last year and arraigned before the GCM at Makindye. Together with 22 others, including UPDF serving officers, he was charged with treason and conspiracy to overthrow the government of Uganda. He was subsequently remanded to Kigo prison until October 20 when the High court granted him bail.
Kabaziguruka petitioned the Constitutional court earlier this month challenging not only his trial as a civilian in the court martial but also its legality. Kabaziguruka prayed that the Constitutional court issues an interim order staying his GCM trial until his main application is heard and disposed of.
Jane Francis Nanvuma, who represented state attorney George Kalemeera, had prayed that the case be adjourned at least for a week to allow them prepare their defence.
“My instructions are to pray for the adjournment of the case for a shorter period, at least a week, because George Kalemeera is on leave,” Nanvuma told court.
She added that the attorney general’s office, the respondent in the application, was served on Monday this week, meaning it had not yet got time to consult the General Court Martial on how to proceed with the case.
However, Kabaziguruka’s lawyers led by Medard Lubega Sseggona watered down Nanvuma’s arguments, arguing that there was no way the attorney general’s office could have received the application on Monday.
He added that if court adjourned the case as Nanvuma suggested, it would have gravely affected his client as he was scheduled to appear before the the GCM the next day.
In his ruling, Kasule said it would be improper for the trial of Kabaziguruka to go on yet the court’s legality was being challenged. The judge also ruled that when the court resumes in two weeks’ time, the attorney general should have consulted, the office of the DPP, the General Court Martial and the UPDF legal department to come up with a united position on the matter.
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