Policemen Arrested on Museveni's Orders for Assaulting Expectant Mother

By Kampala Post Reporter

The Police have arrested two of their own and a member of a village defence unit for reportedly beating up a pregnant woman. The trio accused the victim of flouting orders against crowding in bars and other public places.

The arrest follows a directive by President Museveni today (Saturday) after he received reports of the alleged beating and torture of Ms Mercy Nakate. Nakate, 23, a resident of Busega, in Rubaga, Kampala, was reportedly assaulted on March 27 by a group of policemen and village defence unit officials who were on patrol.

According to Nakate, who is seven-months pregnant, on the fateful night she had moved out of her house to buy herbs (emumbwa) when rain forced her to seek shelter at a common makeshift socialization facility used by residents.

"It was then that the policemen who were on patrol found us and immediately began beating us. The other people ran away but given my condition I could not run. They descended on me, hitting and kicking me despite my cries for mercy," Nakate narrated. Her colleagues later came and helped her get back home.

The following day, she went to report the case to the nearby police station, but the officer in charge instead reportedly convinced her to drop the case in exchange for medical support. However, the President got to learn of the incident and yesterday (Friday) directed Lt Col Edith Nakalema, the head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate the matter. Subsequently, detectives led by SP Jackson Tweheyo, were dispatched to Kibumbiro Village, where they arrested Constables; Francis Mpande and Noah Massajjage, who were in charge of the patrol on the fateful night.

Also held is Junior Asiimwe, a member of the village defence unit. Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga confirmed the arrests, saying the suspects are detained at Nateete Police Station as they await to be charged.

Edirisa Kitooke, a Parish Intelligence Security Officer (PISO), and another only identified as Ndawula, who were reportedly part of this operation are said to be on the run. On the directive of President Museveni, Ms Nakate has been taken for further medical care by a team led by the Director Police Health Services, Dr Moses Byaruhanga. They will attend to her until she gives birth.

Nakate, who was at the time of filing this story, at Nsambya Police Health Centre undergoing examination, hailed  President Museveni for picking interest in her case and supporting her. "I am very grateful to the President for supporting me. I am actually thinking if my baby is a boy when I produce, I will name him Yoweri," she said.

Addressing the country yesterday (Friday) on the Covid-19 situation, President Museveni warned law enforcers, especially the local defence units, against assaulting and beating people they found out during curfew hours. The angry Museveni referred to such officers as “Pigs” and “idiots.”