Police have Tuesday August 18, arrested the LC1 chairman of Kiyaga Zone, Bwaise 1, who reportedly disarmed a police officer while on duty on Monday.
The arrest of the local leader followed an incident that happened during the youth elections at Kiyaga Zone Bwaise 1, Kawempe Division, Kampala City during the declaration of results.
In a statement by KMP spokesperson SP Patrick Onyango, the Youth turned to the police officer CPL Jack Rutabaleka, who was providing security at the venue and insulted him.
“Six men came from behind and grabbed him unaware, in the process, the Local Council I Chairman of the area Joachim Kimera, came and disarmed him,” Onyango said.
Mr. Kimera was arrested this morning and he is helping Police with investigations to trace for the other suspects, who assaulted the police officer.
“He is being detained at Kawempe Police Station on assault and obstruction charges. He obstructed a police officer from carrying out his lawful duties,” Onyango added.
However, the regional police are still looking for the six suspects to have them arrested for committing an offence.
This shocking incident, which widely circulated on social media, was sparked off after the declaration of results where a National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate had got 21 votes against National Resistance Movement (NRM) 09 votes.
Reports indicate that the youths started agitating that there was a likelihood of declaring the NRM candidate as the winner.
Police suspected that this would have been a planned move by the chairman and the six men because after removing the gun from the police officer, the chairman ordered them to run away.
“After their escape, the chairman returned the gun to the officer,” Onyango said.
“The officer did not want to cause commotion at the venue since he was alone at that time. He called for reinforcement to have the chairman arrested but he too had disappeared,” he further noted.
Police have since opened up a case of assault and disarming a police officer on duty at Kawempe Police Station.
“We want to send a strong warning to members of the public to desist from a criminal act of disarming security personnel on duty,” police warned.
