Security – KMAUPDATES

Aug202020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: 2 LDUs accused of torturing Mityana District Chairman acquitted

AFRICA, UGANDA

KAMPALA – The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces’ (UPDF) 1st Division Court Martial chaired by Col Sam Mugyenyi has acquitted two Local Defence Unit (LDU) Personnel of the charge of assault causing bodily harm to Mityana District Chairperson, Mr. Joseph Luzige. The court also reduced the same charge placed against a third militant to common assault after the complainant was found to have falsely accused the militants and initiated the scuffle. The trio; LDU Okello Isaac, LDU Odeke Solomon and Lance Corporal Angulia Simon Peter had been arrested and charged for assault causing bodily harm following an incident of July 7,2020 where they were filmed in a scuffle with the LC V Chairman as they enforced the COVID-19 directives and allegedly injured his eye. The two LDUs were acquitted whe...

Aug132020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: Col. Katungi assigned as new Military Police commander

AFRICA, UGANDA

KAMPALA — Col Keith Katungi has taken over as Commandant Military Police from Brigadier William Bainomugisha at Makindye Military Police headquarters. Presiding over the ceremony, the Commander Land Forces Lt Gen Peter Elwelu commended the outgoing boss for the job well done for having kept Kampala peaceful during his tenure in office. For the incoming commandant, Gen Elwelu congulated him upon his appointment as commandant military police. “You have taken over in a season of its own kind, a season of miracles where people put on masks, no state visits, schools closed, places of worship closed no shaking hands and empty soccer stadias. We are operating in an extra ordinary environment which need new tactics but we have hope in you and you will excel.” He rwmarked Col Katungi t...

Aug112020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

THE US: Trump escorted out of briefing as man shot near White House

Uncategorized

US Secret Service agents shot and wounded a man who was apparently armed outside the White House on Monday, President Donald Trump, after being briefly whisked away in the middle of a press conference. A 51-year-old male approached a Secret Service officer standing at the corner of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, one block from the White House, according to Tom Sullivan, the chief of the Secret Service Uniformed Division. The suspect told the officer he had a weapon and ran "aggressively" towards him, drawing an object out of his clothes, Sullivan said in a statement that was broadcast on Twitter. He then assumed a "shooter's stance" as if he intended to fire, whereupon the Secret Service officer shot him in the torso, Sullivan added. Officers on the scene administered fi...

Aug112020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: LDUs resume operations after completing refresher course

AFRICA, UGANDA

According to the army spokesperson, Brig.Flavia Byekwaso, following the withdraw of the LDU personnel, several incidents of criminality have increased especially at night. “Severally, local leaders and the general public have petitioned security leaders to re-engage them in order to contain the situation. Following indepth consultations with security stake holders, we have agreed that LDUs who have undergone and completed their training resume operations only at night in support of the Uganda Police Force to curtail criminal activities,”Brig.Byekwaso said in a statement. In the past, LDUs have been accused of conducting self-initiated operations where they have robbed members of the public but according to the army spokesperson, the personnel will now participate in intelligence led...

Aug102020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

AFRICA: Islamist Terrorist Attack in Niger Leaves 8 Dead

AFRICA

A solemn crime scene of a burnt-out vehicle in Niger, where it is reported that gunmen murdered 8 people yesterday - 6 of whom were French nationals amongst which ACTED a French humanitarian non-governmental organisation has confirmed its staff members. Amongst the deceased was a drive and Khadri — a local guide and the president of the Kouré Giraffe Guides Association, as the attack occurred east of Kouré which is about an hour's drive from the capital Niamey and within proximity (around 65 km or 40 miles south-east) to the popular tourist attraction, The Kouré Giraffe Reserve. Terrible news in the heart of the giraffe zone, a group of six Frenchmen accompanied by their driver and Khadri, the president of the Kouré Giraffe Guides Association was attacked and massacred by a terrorist g...

Jul312020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: Police still tops the list of media freedom abusers

AFRICA, UGANDA

The police have for the third consecutive year topped the list of violators of press freedom, a report has revealed. An annual report released by the Human Rights Network for Journalists Uganda (HRNJ-U), shows that cases against police officers are still the highest. "Uganda Police Force (UPF) was again the biggest single violator of media rights, contributing 60 per cent of all violations. The Police beat up and ironically arrested journalists who were protesting against Police brutality,” read part of the eleventh, Press Freedom Index (PFI) report.In the report, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has been named the second biggest violator of media freedom, accounting for 22% in addition to its independence as a regulator being questioned.The Uganda People’s Defence Forces ...

Jul312020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: Woman rescued from armed thugs by Police

AFRICA, UGANDA

KAMPALA – The territorial Police at Katwe Police Division and 999 patrollers intercepted a motor vehicle at Kitebi Star and rescued one Victoria Nakitende, who had been robbed and tied with a rope by armed thugs. Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said the officers recovered Exhibits a SAR rifle with five rounds of ammunition, ropes, suspected stolen phones, motorcycle keys and breaking implements. “The suspects were using motor vehicle registration number UAR 179L Toyota Celica,” he said in a statement. According to Police the suspects have been identified as Isaac Massa, Senate George William and Ashraf Mubiru. Owoyesigyire noted that they are currently detained at Katwe Police Station. “The police are investigating allegations of being in p...

Jul312020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: UPDF retires 1036 officers from active service

AFRICA, UGANDA

A total of 1036 officers and militants were on Thursday retired from the active service of the UPDF having spent a number of years in the force. The retirement ceremonies were conducted in various parts of the country. In Entebbe, the Commander Special Forces Command (SFC), Maj Gen James Birungi presided over the ceremony for the retirees under his command at SFC Headquarters whereas the Deputy Commander Air Forces, Major General Tumusiime Katsigazi presided over the ceremony for Air Forces personnel at Entebbe Air Forces Headquarters. All the Division Commanders presided over the function or were represented by senior Officials in their areas of responsibilities in Masindi, Kakiri, Mbarara, Mbale, Gulu, Pader and Kabarole respectively. The biggest number; 362 officers an...

Jul292020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: LDUs resume training in riot control.

AFRICA, UGANDA

Police have started training Local Defence Unit (LDU) personnel, who were withdrawn from Kampala Metropolitan area after high incidents of human rights abuse, in riot control tactics. The LDUs are being trained by Field Force Unit instructors on how to use riot control equipment and tactics that are considered to be less lethal than military weapons they (LDUs) often carry. Police instructors are now training them on tactical methods of arrest, crowd control and the use of tear gas shell launchers. Two weeks ago, the Defence Ministry said LDUs were undergoing refresher training at Kakiri military barracks. The training will cover 10 LDU battalions, which is around 8,000 personnel. After training, the LDU personnel will be redeployed to the city streets during the election peri...

Jul242020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: policeman detained for shooting protestor dead.

AFRICA, UGANDA

Police in Sembabule District are holding one of their own for allegedly shooting a resident dead while dispersing a rowdy crowd.Yakubu Mwambala, the officer in charge of Ntuusi police post reportedly shot dead Ambrose Niwagaba while dispersing people who were protesting encroachment on a community road. Niwagaba was reportedly hit by a stray bullet and died on spot at Kitokolo Village in Ntuusi Sub County on Wednesday.Residents accuse Ms Gwajwa Nabaasa, a self-styled spiritual healer of encroaching on a community road and later fenced it off.When residents started protesting, Ms Nabaasa alerted police which responded by firing in air to contain the angry residents.According to the village chairperson, Mr Mesach Kyambadde, residents had created a road through Nasaaba’s farm and they hav...

Jul232020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

AFRICA: Sudan’s PM reshuffles military rulers with civilians.

AFRICA

Sudan's Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok on Wednesday announced the replacement of the military governors of its states by civilians. Addressing a news conference in the capital Khartoum, Hamdok said that Abdul Fattah Alburhan, the head of the Sovereign Council, has approved the appointment of the 18 civilian rulers of the states in the country, including two women. "We know that the figure of two women out of the 18 is not enough according to the constitution declaration, but we believe that we are going fine in the democratization of the country during this transitional period," he stated. Hamdok further confirmed that his government is in talks with the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the prosecution of the ousted President Omer Al-Bashir and the other wanted former...

Jul212020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: Mixed Reactions After Social Media ‘Appointed’ Gen.Kayihura New Coordinator Of Intelligence Services Finally ‘Replacing’ Gen.Tinyefuza!

AFRICA, UGANDA

Kampala: Social media on Monday afternoon was a wash with news that they (Social Media Media Commanders) had ‘appointed’ former police chief Gen.Kale Kayihura as new Coordinator of Security Intelligence, finally replacing renegade Gen.David Ssejusa Tinyefuza. However, in normal circumstances, this is the job of commander in chief (CiC)of the armed forces, who in this case is Rtd.Gen.Yoweri Kaguta Miseveni, who doebles as president of the republic of Uganda. Nevertheless, the UPDF leadership came out yesterday and dismissed the allegations saying there was no official confirmation from CiC to that effect, andGand therefore the public needed to treat it as satire meant to spice up their Monday,away from the Covid19 lockdown stress the public has been dealing with for four months now down...

Jul212020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: AIGP Turyagumana Retires From Police Force

AFRICA, UGANDA

Kampala: Assistant Inspector General of Police Grace Turyagumanawe has retired from Uganda Police Force after serving for 33 years. Turyagumanawe was heading the Directorate of Peace and Support Operations since its establishment in 2014. While handing over office Turyagumanwe said, “I thank God who has enabled me walk this long journey for about 33 years in service with Uganda Police. I thank The Inspector General of Police, Deputy, Directors and the entire Police Force for the support, corporation and the mentorship rendered to me while in service. It’s not a one man’s show.” Adding, “I also wish to apologize to all the persons I could have wronged in my service in one way or another since my joining it wasn’t intentional , I was doing a service.” During his service in Polic...

Jul212020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: LDUs training on human rights kicks off

AFRICA, UGANDA

The Local Defence Unit (LDU) personnel, who were recently withdrawn from Kampala Metropolitan Area, have started a refresher training in civil policing and human rights. The training at Kakiri Barracks, which will be done in phases, started yesterday with LDUs from Rubaga Battalion, according to the Defence ministry statement. “The launch took place today [yesterday] at Kakiri Barracks where all the personnel of the 10 battalions of the LDUs operating in Kampala Metropolitan Policing (KMP) Area will undergo weeks of the refresher course,” the statement reads in part. A battalion has around 800 soldiers, which means that there are about 8,000 LDUs in Kampala Metropolitan policing area. The withdrawal of LDUs came months of sustained criticism of killings and torture of civilian...

Jul102020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: Military intelligence seals off city safe houses under ISO

AFRICA, UGANDA

KAMPALA – A combined force of Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and other forces have on Friday morning reportedly sealed off city safe houses run by the Internal Security Organisation (ISO). Reports emerging on Friday July, 10 morning indicate that the military operation against the installations under ISO was being spearheaded by sister agency, the military intelligence. UPDF Spokesman Brig-Gen Richard Karemire was not readily available for comment. However, two months ago, officers from military intelligence arrested a senior operative at Internal Security Organization (ISO) on allegations of attempting to interfere with a UPDF-led operation. The operative, Simon Peter Odong, also accused of releasing information smearing members of the First Family to a city onlin...

Jul102020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: Parliament calls for investigations on Nsambya barracks status.

AFRICA, UGANDA

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has directed the Minister of Internal Affairs to investigate the state of affairs at the Nsambya Police Barracks in Kampala. The directive was prompted after Hon. Maurice Kibalya (NRM, Bugabula County North) raised a matter of national importance in regard to the living conditions in the barracks. “It is a sad state of affairs as the barracks does not have water or power. If this week there is water, then the following week, there will be no power. These officers are committed to serve the country but their environment is not appealing. We need to look into this matter,” he said. Kibalya added that the children of the Police officers using television and radio sets for learning during the Covid-19 pandemic, like their other counterparts,...

Jul102020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: 3 have been put in Police custody after an attack on American family.

AFRICA, UGANDA

BUIKWE- Police in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe District are investigating circumstances under which an American family was attacked and injured by a group of machete-wielding thugs. Police identified the victims who are hospitalised at Nile International Hospital in Jinja as Mr Mathew Palm, his wife Ms Lovely Palm; their children Nicole Palm and Cloe Palm as well as the home’s security guard Mr Hope Wafula. They were attacked on Wednesday in Kiira Zone, Njeru Municipality. Mr Palm operates an orphanage in the area. Reports say the attackers used hammers to break into the premises. According to Ms Hellen Butoto, the Ssezibwa Regional Police Spokesperson, some neighbours who heard the victims crying for help, alerted police officers who rushe...

Jul92020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

AFRICA: Jihadists Kill 23 Soldiers in Nigeria Ambush

AFRICA

Islamist fighters killed 23 Nigerian soldiers in an ambush on a key road in the restive northeast of the country, security sources said Wednesday. Two sources told AFP the troops were attacked on Tuesday by jihadists linked to the Islamic State group some 40 kilometers (25 miles) outside regional capital Maiduguri. “Yesterday a military convoy was ambushed by terrorists at Bulabulin [village] along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road,” the first source said. “Twenty-three soldiers were killed, two wounded and an unconfirmed number missing in action.” The second source said the convoy was on its way back to Maiduguri when it came under fire. “The troops were returning from patrol and clearance operation against the terrorists when they were attacked,” the source said. “The tr...

Jul92020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: Invaders Murder UPDF soldier, take off with his gun.

AFRICA, UGANDA

Security operatives have mounted a hunt for attackers who killed a UPDF soldier in Mubende District. The assailants stole a gun from Cpl Godfrey Turyaheebwa who was attached to Mubende Military Rehabilitation Centre on Tuesday. Turyaheebwa died at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital on Wednesday night where he was rushed after the attack. Mubende Resident District Commissioner, Ms Mary Nyakwera Baguma who doubles as the District Security Committee chairperson, said that Turyaheebwa was attacked inside the barracks. Mr Francis Kibuuka, the district chairman said the soldier was hit with a blunt object.

Jul92020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: Hon Kyagulanyi charges the government to address on lockdown deaths.

AFRICA, UGANDA

Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi, alias , has asked government to explain the killing of 15 Ugandans who were gunned down by Local Defence Unit (LDU) personnel during the lockdown. “While the coronavirus has not killed a single Ugandan, government security personnel, including LDUs and others, have killed many people, tortured Ugandans and mutilated others in the name of enforcing Covid-19 related restrictions,” Mr Kyagulanyi told the press at his offices in Kamwokya yesterday. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) spokesperson, Brig Richard Karemire, said most of their errant officers who committed some of the crimes have since been arrested, charged or convicted and jailed on varying charges. “Like today (yesterday), we have sentenced one of them to 20 years in jail. We a...