Police officer Agasirwe confirms issuing guns to Kitatta’s guards

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Senior Superintendent of Police Nixon Agasirwe has confirmed issuing firearms to the bodyguards of Abdullah Kitatta, the Patron of vigilante outfit Bodaboda 2010.

Agasirwe appeared before the General Court Martial as a witness of Ngobi Sowali, a policeman deployed as Kitatta’s Bodyguard. Ngobi is jointly charged with Kitatta and Ibrahim Sekajja for being in possession of a Sub Machine Gun rifle with police registration numbers and a pistol, without a valid firearm license.

Today, Agasirwe acknowledged that he, as Head of Operations of the Rapid Response Unit, armed Ngobi Sowali with a star Pistol which had 15 rounds of ammunition in 2009. During the same period, Sargent Allan Matsiko, Kitatta’s bodyguard signed for an AK-47 and a second pistol which they obtained through the Armory at Old Kampala Police Station.

According to Agasirwe, the plan to issue out guns to Kitatta’s guards was based on a verbal order by the then Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura during the infamous Buganda riots. Kitatta, who was reportedly working with police to quell riots, needed to be protected, according to the directive.

However, Agasirwe also told the court that presided over by Lt General Andrew Gutti that the submachine gun that was paraded in court as an exhibit was different from the one he issued to Ngobi.

According to the Police Standing Orders, a police officer acquires a gun upon writing to the IGP with an attention note to the Director of Logistics, indicating the reasons for the request. But the gun cannot be issued until the IGP sanctions the request with a written directive to the Director in Charge of Logistics. However, Agasirwe only acted on a verbal order.

Today’s testimony contradicts plea of not guilty on charges brought against him before the General Court Martial. He was charged for aiding and abetting kidnaps in Uganda, illegal repatriation of Rwandan Refugees and issuing out firearms to members of Bodaboda 2010.

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