The Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee of Parliament, Jovah Kamateeka has defended the Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura for not appearing before the Makindye magistrates’ court.
Ms. Kamateka expressed her admiration for Kayihura’s inaction on Thursday during a discussion in her Committee.
According to the legislator who also represents the women of Mitooma district, Kayihura has “fought” for Uganda and done several sacrifices for the good of the country and therefore should not be dragged to court.
“General Kayihura cannot be forced to court like the way it was planned yesterday. He has fought for this nation and served above self for country,” Ms. Kamateeka said.
Kayihura was expected in Court on Wednesday to face charges against him and other senior police commanders for violence melted on the supporters of the former Forum for Democratic Change, presidential candidate Rt. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye last month by junior officers under their watch.
The IGP however failed to get to court and neither any of his fellow co accused.
The Makindye Magistrate Court turned into an environment of lawlessness on Wednesday when people allegedly protesting against the prosecution of the police boss stormed and took over the affairs at the place.
The protesters turned violent vandalizing the car of one of the lawyers of the accuser and wanted to beat opposition figures like the Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana and others.
It took a special police operation to rescue Lukwago and his colleagues from the hot besieged court premises.
Kamateeka has also defended the actions of the youths and boda cyclists who ransacked the Court and said it was their constitutional rights to demonstrate at Court.
“The youths who went to Court in support of the IGP had the rights to do so. It was their rights prescribed in the constitution to demonstrate,” she said.
Kamateeka was immediately opposed by the section of her own Committee members including those from the ruling National Resistance Movement party who described Wednesday’s scene at Makindye court as unfortunate.
The MP for Butembo Kyankwanzi district, Innocent Pentagon Kamusiime and Francis Mwijukye of Buheju jointly said that there should be no one above the law in Uganda and mobilizing locals to attack the court should be treated a different offense.