A family in Wakiso district has filed a petition with the principal judge, alleging misconduct by State House Staff, Andrew Khaukha, in a land dispute. They claim he is obstructing justice for their 68-year-old father due to a suspected conflict of interest.
In a letter dated December 19, 2023, and addressed to the Principal Judge, Deo Mutesaaira of Wakiso district accuses Andrew Khaukha of using his office to kidnap Kavuma Charles for reasons unknown to the family. The Ankole Times newspaper obtained a copy of the letter, which was received by the Principal Judge’s Personal Assistant on January 2, 2024.
Andrew Khaukha, a State House official, is accused of kidnapping Kavuma Charles, a 68-year-old peasant, after allegedly fraudulently purchasing his land. The family has expressed concern to the Principal Judge about the kidnapping and the Director of the Land Police Protection Unit’s refusal to hand over the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Relatives of Kavuma, led by Deo Mutesssira, allege that on August 24, 2023, Andrew Khaukha, accompanied by security operatives dressed in plain clothes, forcibly took Kavuma to Kibuli CID headquarters. There, he was coerced at gunpoint to make a statement before being transferred to Wandegeya Police station for custody. The following day, he was moved to Nakawa Magistrate court, where he remains in Luzira prison.
The family contends that Andrew Khaukha fraudulently acquired pieces of land located in Kiwenda, Wakiso district. Complaints were made to the DPP’s office, which, on November 22, 2023, wrote to the Director CID through the Director of the Land Police Protection Unit. However, the file was refused to be handed over to the DPP’s office, as confirmed by a family source, Deo Mutesssira, on November 23 at Kibuli CID headquarters.
Mr. Andrew Khaukha, when contacted by a reporter, referred them to Detective SP Nakatude and the LC1 of Kiwanda, Bashir Kiyaga. Detective SP Nakatude stated that he had no mandate to talk to the media and directed them to the head of the investigation at their office.
LC1 Bashir Kiyaga confirmed Kavuma Charles’s arrest in the presence of five LC1 executive members. He mentioned that Kavuma is not a bad person, but his children are causing him problems. Bashir conducted several meetings on the matter before Kavuma’s arrest, but all efforts were in vain.
It’s essential to note that President Yoweri Museveni Kaguta recently encouraged the public to report State House staff misusing their positions for corrupt practices using his name.
Lastly, the family members of Kavuma Charles expressed fear and requested President Museveni to investigate Khaukha Andrew for allegedly abusing his State House office to victimize innocent poor people in Wakiso who feel helpless. They also demand an investigation by the Judiciary Service Commission into case file 530/2023 (Uganda Versus Kavuma Charles in Nakawa Magistrate court) to ensure transparency and justice. The family fears potential arrest without proper reason, akin to Kavuma Charles.
Story adapted from Ankole Times