Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Clive Nsiima Barigye, who was recently filmed assaulting a female fuel station attendant in Kyanja, has been arraigned and remanded after appearing before the City Hall Court in Kampala on Thursday.
Nsiima, attached to the Counter Terrorism Directorate under the Oil and Gas Protection Unit, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Nicholas Aisu, facing charges of assault and threatening violence under Sections 235 and 236 of the Penal Code Act.
Dressed in black trousers, a white shirt, and a face mask, Nsiima stood quietly in the dock as the charges were read to him. Unlike most suspects, he was not handcuffed, and was allowed to sit before being led to take his plea. The magistrate denied him bail, and he was subsequently remanded pending further mention of the case.
The court appearance follows a viral CCTV video that captured Nsiima slapping a female cashier at a Shell fuel station in Kyanja after she reportedly reminded him to clear an unpaid bill of about Shs30,000.
In the clip, the visibly intoxicated officerdressed in civilian clothes is seen berating the attendant before striking her twice across the face, saying, “I am parking; have you ever driven such a car? She’s disturbing me over Shs30,000. Do you think I can run away with Shs100,000? I can slap you even with these cameras here and tomorrow we go to court.”
The video provoked national outrage, with many Ugandans calling for disciplinary action and justice. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed his arrest on X (formerly Twitter), while the Director of Criminal Investigations, AIGP Tom Magambo, condemned the officer’s behaviour, saying internal investigations were underway.
Trail of Impunity
However, as the Kyanja incident made headlines, social media users began sharing past accounts of Nsiima’s alleged violent conduct and reckless behaviour painting a picture of an officer who has long enjoyed protection despite repeated misconduct.
Nsiima, who hails from the Ankole royal family, is said to have a long history of indiscipline. While serving as District Police Commander (DPC) in Hoima, he was transferred after a hit-and-run accident involving a pregnant woman and three others. It remains unclear whether the victims survived.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Nsiima allegedly fired bullets at revellers at Birunga Bar in Ntinda. He was arrested on orders of high-ranking security officials but released in less than six hours.
In another incident, he reportedly pulled a gun on Buganda Prince David Wasajja after accusing the royal of blocking his vehicle. Although the matter was reported to police, no action was taken.
Those who know him describe Nsiima as calm when sober but dangerously unruly under the influence of alcohol. He is known to frequent bars while armed with a pistol, which he often brandishes in public. On one occasion, he allegedly attempted to force his car into a liquor shop in Ntinda, only to be disarmed and taken away by police.
In the recent Kyanja incident, sources reveal that the assaulted woman is the granddaughter of Christine, a former Personal Assistant to ex–Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura. It is alleged that Christine’s influence was instrumental in ensuring Nsiima’s arrest, fearing the case would otherwise have been suppressed.
While his court appearance has momentarily calmed public anger, many Ugandans remain sceptical about whether justice will be served citing the officer’s powerful connections and history of escaping accountability.
