Ugandan soldiers arrested over alleged assault on policewoman
Two Ugandan solders have been arrested after a video went viral of them assaulting a female traffic officer.
The arrests come amid continuous outcry among Ugandans on social media, a local human rights organization and the country’s Deputy Speaker.
The alleged assault took place on Sunday, when two soldiers harassed the officer – Police Sergeant Esther Namaganda – after she stopped their vehicle over a traffic offence.
The Army has since apologized over the incident and issued a statement saying the soldiers were being held over the recorded assault.
‘‘It is very regrettable and apologies to our police sister. UPDF and UPF are establishing the facts. Findings will guide action to be taken,” Defence spokesperson Brigadier Richard Karemire said on Sunday.
The soldiers are bodyguards for Uganda’s ambassador to Burundi, Major General Matayo Kyaligonza, (dressed in white) who was at the scene but did not try to intervene during the attack.
Video: #Uganda‘s Ambassador to Burundi, Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza with his military guards assaulting a yet-to-be named female traffic officer who stopped them after they made a wrongful U-turn in Seeta, Mukono today, Sunday pic.twitter.com/qsh86XXBzv
— The Observer (@observerug) February 24, 2019
Major General Kyaligonza has however denied any wrongdoing. Instead he says he is being unfairly targeted.
In 1989, the controversial officer was he was demoted for slapping a police officer.