Prime
Katikkiro condemns police brutality
Handshakes. Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga (right), greets guests shortly after a meeting at Bulange, Mengo in Kampala on Tuesday. PHOTO BY JAMES KABENGWA
What you need to know:
- Effect. He says the high-handedness and escalation of brutality by people in power is not only setting a bad example to the young generation but also damaging the country’s reputation.
Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro (prime minister) Charles Peter Mayiga has warned that there will be no escape for perpetrators of violence against Ugandans in future, adding that they will be held accountable for their deeds.
“Those who are behind such behaviour, time is coming for them to answer. They will have to account. What goes around comes around. Times change, things change,” Mr Mayiga said while addressing students from Buddu County at Bulange in Mengo, Kampala, on Tuesday.
He said the high-handedness and escalation of brutality by people in power is not only setting a bad example to the young generation but also damaging the country’s reputation.
The students donated Shs21m to the kingdom.
Mr Mayiga cited two of former President Amin’s top men, Ali Fadur and Abdul Nasur, who he said were untouchable with a lot of power during their reign but they have now aged and are dying in despair and regret.
“To the young generation, violent acts and murders are wrong. You should never emulate such behaviour,” Mr Mayiga warned.
He said when he visited Bulemezi some years ago, Abdul Nasur went before him almost kneeling.
“He was very powerful and ruthless, forcing people to swallow rubber slippers during his time and there is also Ali Fadur, living a desperate life in Mukono [District], sometimes going without food. They were untouchables but are no more,” Mr Mayiga said.
The Katikkiro criticised the police violence against four time Forum for Democratic Change presidential candidate Kizza Besigye in the Monday incident where he was nearly thrown on the ground by high pressure water cannons and tear gas. His car was damaged under the command of Rashid Agero.
Agero has a long history of brutality against people. One time he pointed a gun at former Democratic Party president Ssebaana Kizito, now deceased.
Mr Mayiga said if by bad luck Besigye had hit his head on the ground and died in the circumstances, the country would have plunged into chaos.
He also condemned the beating of journalists and Makerere University students by police.
He said such perpetrators might be free now but they will have to answer for their crimes against humanity at one point in future.
“What harm can a non-armed journalist cause to armed policemen? A journalist with mere pens and cameras. Why would such people be treated like wild animals? They only relay brutal actions of security men,” Mr Mayiga said.
He said the kingdom was worried about violence witnessed in universities especially Makerere and other places of higher education.
“There is no longer communication in higher institutions of learning, no dialogue. The solution is bullets, thumps and tear gas and this is where we send our children,” he added.
He criticised the act of security agents breaking into female dormitories and pulling out girls deep in the night.
He said students are nursing wounds with some maimed asking which kind of nation “are we building when the youngsters are treated with violence?”
He criticised leaders who alleged last week that running battles between Makerere students and security were a result of drug abuse and pay off from Opposition leaders.
“Such words coming out of an adult? Did all students conspire to take drugs at the same time? What must looked into is the 15 per cent fees increment amid a biting economy,” Mr Mayiga said.
