Uganda ex-police boss charged over illegal repatriations
Fri Aug 24, 2018 11:23:am Africa
3.6K By Obiaks Blog
Uganda's former powerful police chief General Kale Kayihura has been charged before a court martial in the capital, Kampala, with abetting the illegal repatriation of Rwandan refugees and dissidents from Uganda.
The prosecutors allege that Gen Kayihura aided the forceful repatriation of Rwandan exiles, including Lieutenant Joel Mutabazi, a former bodyguard to Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
A group of seven police officers, believed to have been Gen Kayihura's close associates, face similar charges.
The once-powerful general is also charged with the failure to protect arms and ammunition while in office.
The army says that between 2010 and 2018, on many occasions, Gen Kayihura illegally issued guns to members of a vigilante group Boda Boda 2010, named after motorcycle taxis.
The prosecutors added that he also failed to supervise and account for arms and ammunition issued to various police units.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The general ran the Uganda Police Force for 13 years, during which time the force became notorious for brutality towards activists and political opponents.
Rights groups have also called for Gen Kayihura to answer for the alleged torture and abuse of detained Ugandans in the eastern town of Jinja.
He was fired in March and arrested in June. He has been in military detention since then. Many suspect that political motives lie behind his downfall.
BBC
The prosecutors allege that Gen Kayihura aided the forceful repatriation of Rwandan exiles, including Lieutenant Joel Mutabazi, a former bodyguard to Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
A group of seven police officers, believed to have been Gen Kayihura's close associates, face similar charges.
The once-powerful general is also charged with the failure to protect arms and ammunition while in office.
The army says that between 2010 and 2018, on many occasions, Gen Kayihura illegally issued guns to members of a vigilante group Boda Boda 2010, named after motorcycle taxis.
The prosecutors added that he also failed to supervise and account for arms and ammunition issued to various police units.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The general ran the Uganda Police Force for 13 years, during which time the force became notorious for brutality towards activists and political opponents.
Rights groups have also called for Gen Kayihura to answer for the alleged torture and abuse of detained Ugandans in the eastern town of Jinja.
He was fired in March and arrested in June. He has been in military detention since then. Many suspect that political motives lie behind his downfall.
BBC
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