The police in Hoima are on the spot over reports of torture, brutality and extortion on residents of Kyabigambire sub-county.
There was a heavy deployment of Police in the sub-county two weeks ago after a group calling itself Bijambya dropped leaflets in various villages threatening to kill leaders and some area residents. The leaflets, which were written in Luganda, were found in the villages of Kisabagwa, Bugandale, Kasunga, Bineneza, Mparangasi, Kibugubya, and Nyakabingo East in Kyabigambire sub-county.
On their list of targets they had; Alex Mwesigwa, the LCIII chairperson of Kyambigambire, Irene Nabadda-the sub county council speaker, Twaha Kyamanywa-the LCI chairperson of Bugandale village, Benson Mbabazi- the chairperson of Kisabagwa village , Paul Kato from Kasunga village, Adriko Malon, Yose Afidra, Vicent Sansiyo all residents of Bineneza village among other residents.
This prompted area leaders to petition the district security committee to deploy security personnel in the area since residents were living in fear of being attacked by the people who dropped the leaflets. As a result, the district security committee resolved to heavily deploy in the area to avert any forms of insecurity.
Security personnel intensified both foot and motorized patrols in the different villages within the sub-county and the entire district, to beef up the already existing efforts of village security committees. However, barely two weeks after the deployment residents have accused them of torture, brutality and extortion.
The residents say the security personnel who were deployed to protect them and their property have instead turned against them beating them up and inflicting injuries, especially on those they get moving past 6 p.m. They now want the security personnel commanded by Moses Kiige, the officer in charge of Bulindi police post investigated for torture, extortion and brutality.
Swaibu Nyangabyaki, the area LCV Councilor says that they cannot tolerate the massive torture being inflicted on the area residents by the security personnel.
Pius Wakabi, the area Member of Parliament has tasked the district security committee to immediately withdraw the deployed officers since they have turned against the public instead of providing security to them. He also calls for investigations against the police personnel deployed in the area.
Ruth Nkamusiima, the Hoima District Police Commander-DPC has apologized to the residents and added that the officers are going to be investigated and punished accordingly. She has tasked all those who have been tortured by the officers to file cases at police so that they can be accorded help.
In November 2021, Hoima City leaders accused security personnel of implementing the Presidential directives to curb the spread of COVID-19 of continued brutality and extortion. By then Victims being brutalized and extorted during patrols and night curfews were boda-boda cyclists; shop keepers, mechanics, restaurant operators.
The leaders including Councillors expressed dismay over the failure by the city security committee to take action on the officers who were accused of brutalizing the residents.