Uganda's police chief explains 'no-show' at court hearing over brutality charges

Uganda’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gen Kale Kayihura has denied being served with criminal summons requiring him to appear before a court in respect to a private prosecution of police brutality brought against him.

A press release signed by Twaruhukwa Erasmus, director of human rights and legal services of Uganda’s police said, ‘‘I want to make it categorically clear that the Inspector General of Police has not been served with criminal summons or any other summons requiring his attendance in court as alleged by the lawyers pursuing the private prosecution.’‘

The police accused lawyers and the media of insisting that the police chief had been served with the summons but had failed to appear.

‘‘Even yesterday (Wednesday June 10) while in court, the lawyers pursuing the prosecution stated that the Inspector General of Police was duly served with the criminal summons,’‘ the statement added.

.IGPUGANDA has not been served with criminal summons requiring his attendance in court- Twaruhukwa, Director Legal. pic.twitter.com/QEBABA4Wd8

— Uganda Media Centre (UgandaMediaCent) August 11, 2016

The police service insisted that Gen Kayihura had not be served any summons directly or otherwise and was ‘‘challenging those claiming to have served the Inspector General of Police to prove service.’‘

The police described as ‘‘unfair and not tenable’‘ in the criminal justice system to expect a person to respond to summons when he has not been served. Adding further that the IGP was a law abiding public official and individual who upholds the rule of law.

There was commotion at the court during a case hearing where the IGP and other top officials had been sued for torture and brutality meted out by their officers to supporters of opposition leader Kizza Besigye.

A cross section of people opposed to the police chief’s trial besieged the court premises. The irate crowd held up lawyers in the case and had to be dispersed by police reinforcement.