The police have summoned Major General Rtd Matayo Kyaligonza to write a statement which will facilitate the law to take its course, the internal affairs minister, Gen. Jeje Odongo has revealed.
This is in relation to the incident over the weekend when two soldiers guarding Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi beat up traffic police officer sgt. Esther Namaganda for attempting to stop them from making a U-turn in the middle of the road.
Gen. Odongo told parliament this afternoon that the two UPDF soldiers CPL Bushindiki and Pte Okurut John Robert have been arrested and still being held at Makindye Military Police Headquarters and will be subjected to the military judicial procedures.
“HE the Ambassador Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza has been summoned by police to make a statement that will be used to process this matter to its logical conclusion. Rt Hon Speaker, Hon Colleagues let me categorically state that this incident is regrettable and detestable. No act of indiscipline by members of the security agencies will be tolerated. This is our norm” the minister added.
However, legislators could not have this as they all supported recalling of Kyaligonza from his diplomatic assignment. Hon Jovah Kamateeka recommended that the appointing authority withdraws Kyaligonza. “I know the people of Burundi will not accept him. Kyaligonza doesn't reflect the character of Uganda, he must resign. He should also be held accountable by compensating the officer he assaulted” she noted.
She was supported by Butambala MP Hon Muhammad Kivumbi who argued that if there are issues under which public officers should resign, this is one of them.
“Kyaligonza carries a title of His Excellency and that makes the case grave for a man of his caliber. This Parliament ought to call on Maj Kyaligonza to resign” he said.
Hon Mbwatekwamwa Gafa said the ambassador should be recalled immediately.
"The ambassador should be recalled immediately, how do you insult a police officer on duty moreover in uniform. This lady should even be promoted to the level of assistant inspector of Police" he recommended.
