Inquiry into masked goons hits dead end

Kampala. An inquiry file into the beating up of Dr Kizza Besigye’s supporters by masked goons suspected to be police officers two weeks ago has been returned to the head of the criminal investigations in Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP).
KMP spokesman Patrick Onyango confirmed the file has been brought back to the area headquarters but declined to give details.
“It is true that the file has been bounced back. I can’t tell the reason. I need to consult the area commander [Abbas Byakagaba] first,” Mr Onyango said yesterday.
This comes days after Daily Monitor reported that KMP detective Godwin Tumugumye had sent the file to Detective Benon Ayebare, the head of criminal investigations in Kampala Metropolitan Police South region, ordering him to investigate the police officers, who are his superiors and immediate supervisors.
The aim is to establish why some police commanders looked on as the hooded attackers beat up civilians. Among them is the Kampala Metropolitan Police South deputy regional commander Godfrey Tayebwa.
However, Mr Tayebwa is not only superior in rank to Mr Ayebare, but he is also his supervisor, which makes the investigation strange and complex.
Following the incident, Mr Byakagaba ordered Mr Tumugumye to investigate the beatings and release a report in a week’s time.
Mr Byakagaba promised that the investigation would focus on his officers who looked on as masked goons beat up people. Police have since disowned the masked men.
By yesterday, the investigations had not started. Mr Onyango said they were still waiting for independent eyewitnesses to come up for them to start the investigations.
“No eyewitnesses have come up to record statements. I call upon all those who witnessed the incidents to come and give evidence for us to investigate the matter,” he said.

The background
This isn’t the first time plain-clothed men armed with clubs have attacked civilians without any police intervention. The first group emerged during the protest against proposed giveaway of part of Mabira Forest in 2007. Police then denied knowledge of the stick-wielding goons. On June 9, 2010, a similar group attacked Dr Besigye and his supporters at Clock Tower Grounds as police looked on.