The Inspector General of Police, John Martins Okoth Ochola, has ordered the arrest of eleven (11) police officers who were captured on video beating up Buvuma Woman District MP, Suzan Nakaziba and some supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party.

Police were blocking a belated Women’s Day celebration organized by NUP at Kyanja-Kutale in Bweema Sub-county in Buvuma District on 21st April 2023. The Hon. Nakaziba is still nursing her injuries and has since been hospitalized.  

Police spokesman Fred Enanga who addressed journalists at the police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala said that the Inspector General of Police, John Martins Okoth Ochola had suspended the officers who battered Buvuma Woman MP, Suzan Nakaziba and four other NUP supporters on 21st April 2023 in a scuffle.

This was after the police officers and a few UPDF soldiers moved to block the MP and the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party supporters from holding their belated Women’s Day Celebration in the Buvuma district. It is alleged that Hon. Nakaziba and her supporters had disobeyed police orders against going ahead with the event.

Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga explained that the police chief, Okoth Ochola responded to the concerns that had been raised on social media against the conduct of the security officers during the enforcement of the unlawful assembly guidelines.

The Police chief has directed the said officers to report to the headquarters of the Police Professional Standards Unit for questioning.

Enanga said that the 11 police officers attached to Buvuma district, including some of the senior officers in the district have been suspended, pending disciplinary action.

However, Enanga also blamed MP Nakaziba, saying that she went against police guidelines even when the police officers were polite and sought to engage her.

Enanga advised members of the public to desist from holding unlawful assemblies and riots as provided in Section 5 of the Public Order Management Act, 2013, to follow stated guidelines as they prepare to organize any event, to avoid unnecessary wrangles.

Mary Prima Awor