Uganda Police Force (UPF) says it has identified and arrested for of its officers who were filmed dragging an old woman in mud during an arrest over a land wrangle in Lubiri Cell of western Uganda’s city of Mbarara.
The land in question is said to be in a prime location: situated opposite the CocaCola plant in Mbarara. Identified as Victoria Kabatoraine, the old woman is accused of trespassing on the land for which she insists she had letters of administration. The land wrangle has dragged on for about a decade.
The video of the arrest has gone viral, winning Uganda Police Force public condemnation. Some government officials argued that such actions soil the image of the Museveni regime at home and among the international community.
“This is betrayal of our Mzee’s legacy by officers. Outraged by the horrific treatment of a grandmother by some of our officers,” complained junior minister for youths and children affairs.
“These actions are unacceptable and deserve severe consequences. I urge our Security leaders to take decisive action against these unprofessional and indisciplined officers. Impunity and disrespect have no place in our country.”
In response, police condemned “the method of arrest depicted in this video” and made it clear that “it contradicts our professional standards.”
The force has identified the officers involved in the incident as ASP Andrew Betunga, the one who was seen in uniform in the video; Detective Constable Darious Aharizira, Detective Constable Hope Nsasirwe and Detective Constable Loyce Kiboneka.
Police said the four have been arrested and detained in Mbarara and will face disciplinary action. This is just one of the incidents of mistreatment of old women by Museveni’s enforcement agencies.
As The Pearl Times recently reported, a 70-year-old woman had her house destroyed in an eviction only for her to be arrested and imprisoned for many weeks for setting up a temporary structure.
The evicted and imprisoned woman has since been helped by generous people who contributed money to build her a house. Read stories about her Here and There.
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