Police probe Gen Tumwine for obstructing court order

Kazo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Police in Kazo is investigating circumstances under which retired Gen Elly Tumwine blocked court bailiffs and police from implementing a court order.

A case was opened against Gen Tumwine on Thursday at Kazo police station by Paul Beigana, a court bailiff accusing him of obstructing a court order directing Steven Rwanyabushozi to open an access road.

According to Beigana, the court order was cleared by the Directorate of Police Legal services in Kampala and the Regional Police Commander allowing the Kazo District Police Commander to witness its execution in Burunga sub county.

Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson confirmed the incident saying the bailiffs who were in the company of police officers from Kazo police station were intercepted by military vehicles along the Kazo-Rwemikoma road at the junction that heads to Gen Tumwine’s home and stopped from executing the court order.

Kasasira says the court order resulted from a judgment by the Kazo Chief Magistrate that pronounced itself on the 21st of November 2021, in a civil case where Grace Kakirenga, the complainant accused her son Steven Rwanyabushozi, the defendant, of blocking an access road to her home.

The court ruling was in favour of Kakirenga ordering Rwanyabushozi to unblock the access road and also awarded costs of 24 million to Kakirenga. However, Rwanyabushozi defied court orders and subsequently a warrant of arrest was issued.

Paul Beigana, the court bailiff says when they were intercepted by military vehicles, Gen Tumwine told them to hand over the court order and other documents that included a warrant of arrest and directed them to leave the area immediately.

He says General Tumwine also freed Rwanyabushozi who had been arrested, and left with him in the vehicles.

When URN tried to contact General Elly Tumwine for comment, his known phone numbers went unanswered.

Kasasira says as the investigation into the matter goes on, they are also engaging relevant authorities to settle the matter.

*****

URN