Kayihura sued by policeman over election bid

Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | A Police officer has sued former Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura demanding compensation for deliberately depriving him of a chance to actively participate in the 2016 general elections.

Deputy Assistant Inspector of Police (D/AIP) Nelson Mungasa who is currently the OC CID- Bugolobi Police Station, says Kayihura refused to consider his resignation application from the police force in order for him to vie for the Tingeyi County MP seat in Kapchorwa District.

Mungasa contends that owing to his political aspirations, through his then immediate supervisor at Jinja Road Police station in Kampala, he wrote to the office of the IGP seeking to resign from the force in July 2018.

He says however his dreams of joining the 10th Parliament were shattered by Kayihura, who he accuses of usurping the powers of the Police Council and solely rejected his application.

Mugansa adds that he even took up the matter to the Internal Affairs Ministry that wrote to Kayihura to re-consider his decision, but Kayihura stood his ground and rather accused Mungasa of committing an offense by participating in politics before officially resigning from the police.

Mungasa now wants the High Court in Kampala, to condemn his former boss’ conduct and declare that his action was unlawfully and aimed at depriving him of his constitutional right to participate in the governance of his country.

He also seeks damages from Kayihura for financial loss, psychological torture and inconvenience.

Early this month, President Museveni relieved Gen. Kayihura of his duties as IGP and appointed Martin Okoth Ochola to replace him.