Former Police chief, Gen Kale Kayihura and former commander of the now disbanded Flying Squad of the Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Herbert Muhangi are being held at the Makindye military barracks, SoftPower News has learnt.
This was confirmed Wednesday evening by a reliable source within the military.
On Wednesday, Kayihura was airlifted from his home in Lyantonde district to the army headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala where he had been summoned to appear, according to the army spokesperson, Brig Richard Karemire.
According to Brig Karemire, on June 12, Gen Kayihura was asked to report to the UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen David Muhoozi at the general headquarters in Mbuya.
On Tuesday, social media was awash with reports that there had been a search operation in pursuit of Gen Kayihura in Lyantonde. The same reports alleged that the Courtyard International Hotel in Lyantonde district (where Kayihura is reportedly a common guest) had been combed top to bottom in search for Kayihura but with no success.
Some reports went on to speculate that Kayihura had infact been arrested that day, but this was later disproved by a statement by the army spokesperson.
Read More: Gen Kayihura Flown to Kampala After Being Summoned by Gen Muhoozi
On the other hand, Muhangi who lost his Senior position as commander of the Police Flying Squad last month, following a reshuffle by IGP Okoth Ochola, was arrested on Tuesday by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI).
Both of them are now at Makindye military barracks.
Our sources say that initially, Kayihura was to be taken to his home in Muyenga after a meeting held at Mbuya Army headquarters ended. However, new orders were issued to have him held at Makindye Army barracks. It isn’t clear why.
It is alleged that Gen Kale ordered the transfer of 4000 weapons from the Police Armoury to Masindi without a record at the Police headquarters.
Sources say the duo’s offences are related to treasonous acts committed during Kayihura’s tenure. Muhangi, a senior and loyal Police Officer to Kayihura and other officers were involved in several illegal undertakings allegedly on their boss’ orders. Reliable military sources say some of the officers detained last year testified to that effect.
It is also confirmed now by reliable sources that Kayihura is also being questioned over the murder of former Police spokesperson, AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi who was assassinated in March last year.
Also Read: Investigation: Rwandan Propaganda Against Uganda Diversionary from Police Aided Illegal Repatriation
Muhangi’s time at the helm of the Flying Squad was a mixed bag. He was at the receiving end of allegations of corruption, torture while operatives of the Unit, previously mandated to curb sophisticated crime were accused of conniving with criminals.
Also Read: Investigation: CMI Unravels Police Illegal Sale of Guns, Ammunition in Guise of Scrap
The latest accusations against him are made by a police officer identified as Ben Nkwasibwe who is at the rank of Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP). The officer who is attached to the general duties operations claims that back in 2016, Muhangi caused his arrest for a month and that during the period, he was subjected to mistreatment.
This complaint is contained in a June 10 letter written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Martin Okoth Ochola.
Nkwasibwe says he was arrested on allegations that he had spoken to opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye which he denies. Now, he is seeking to be refunded the money he spent during his arrest in addition to a compensation of Shs 120 million by Muhangi.
Meanwhile, Col Atwooki Ndahura who was until recently the head of crime intelligence in the Police but later recalled by the UPDF, is also being searched for, for possible arrest.
Ndahura was by Tuesday at his home in Masindi but sources within security say he is among those wanted. The Colonel was among a few of Senior Police officers who were close to Gen Kayihura during his tenure as IGP and also executed orders on his Senior’s behalf.
However, Ndahura’s name appeared severally in some human rights violations where refugees have been made to disappear. Uganda’s record as the country with the best policy on refugees was almost dented.
Last year, a group of victims of Rwandan origin petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga raising an alarm over their continued state of fear for possible kidnap by elements within Police. The petition listed 21 persons of Rwandan descent many of whom were brutalized and killed in 2010 in Nakivale refugee settlement by elements in Police.
In the days leading to the sacking of Gen Kayihura as IGP early this year, the President warned that he would jail all rogue security officers who among others served foreign and individual interests.
Also Read: Museveni to Jail Rogue Security Officers Serving Foreign Interests
It followed the arrest by the military intelligence arm (CMI) of nine Police officers considered to have been Kayihura’s henchmen, including two from the Flying Squad. The officers were charged before the military court martial with offenses that included illegal repatriation of Rwandan refugees and illegal possession of fire arms and grenades.
Observers say the latest arrests, including the summoning of Gen Kayihura by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen David Muhoozi on Wednesday is likely to be part of the President’s efforts to get answers to these unresolved criminal acts.
