TRAFFIC OFFICER SHOOTING: Minister Otafiire Refuses to Apologize

Internal affairs minister Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire has told a committee of parliament that there is no need for him to apologize on behalf of a UPDF soldier who recently shot a traffic police officer.

On Sunday, a UPDF officer shot and injured a traffic officer the thigh.

Identified as PC Robert Mukebezi, the traffic officer was on duty at Kira Road Division had responded to a traffic incident, involving a military vehicle under registration number H4DF 1391 which that veered off the road and rammed into a sign post.

“During the process of transferring the accident motor vehicle to the police for further inspection, a military response team also approached the scene in another vehicle, under registration number, H4DF 922, that was commanded by Major Okua Alpha. Unfortunately, one of his officers, identified as Corporal Babangida Bashir Mango, drew out his gun then shot and injured the traffic officer,” said police spokesperson Fred Enanga.

“The suspect eventually abandoned his gun at Bukasa village and is on the run. He is however, wanted on charges of attempted murder and obstruction of an officer on lawful duty.”

Appearing before Parliament’s defence and internal affairs committee on January 18, Minister Otafiire condemned what he called ‘banditry’ and ‘indiscipline’ of some men and women in uniform.

But he declined to apologize on behalf of the UPDF officer who shot at Mukebezi.

“I am not going to apologize for any soldier or anybody in uniform shooting at [an officer of] a sister security agency. That is indiscipline, I condemn it in the strongest terms and those who are responsible should be brought to book,” said Otafiire.

“I am shocked. You very well know that I am a retired officer of the National Resistance Army. National Resistance Army used to respect the Police. I don’t know what the successor to the National Resistance Army the UPDF has ideologically become!”