The actions of a top government official in which he was filmed together with his bodyguards assaulting a female traffic police officer on duty in Seeta, Mukono District, continue to draw ire among prominent Ugandans including high ranking government officials.
The first to condemn the misdeeds was UPDF spokesperson Brig. Richard Karemire on behalf of the institution.
Many other Uganda poured mixed reactions on social media calling for the immediate resignation and arrest of retired Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza who now holds a diplomatic slot as Uganda’s envoy to Burundi.
His two guards, RA/221607 L/CPL Bushindiki Peter and RA/230927 Pte Okurut John Robert were picked by the army on Sunday evening, Karemire said.
But on Monday morning the military publicist clarified that UPDF was unable to take any action against Kyaligonza because he no longer belongs to the army having quit active military service.
“After retiring he ceased being under our direct control and command,” said Karemire whose institution had come under immense criticism for “targeting small fish.”
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah has also joined a bandwagon of those castigating Kyaligonza saying government officials like Kyaligonza should have used his position to make things better.
The female cop Sgt. Esther Namaganda reportedly stopped Kyaligonza’s car after the driver breached traffic laws.
We have plenty of chances to get angry at situations but we should use our positions to make things better,” Oulanyah advised.
Positing on Twitter he added, “We are tasking Institutions to function efficiently, it shouldn’t be us to make them useless.”
The deputy speaker regrets the actions of Kyaligonza saying such manners find no place in any society.
“The actions of Kyaligonza is highly regrettable and should have no place in any society.”