Following the recent incident involving opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, the Uganda Police Force has raised concerns about his cooperation with their investigation.
Kyagulanyi, who sustained a leg injury from a tear gas canister during a confrontation with police in Bulindo last Tuesday, is reported to be hampering progress in the probe.
The incident occurred as Kyagulanyi was leaving a Thanksgiving ceremony at the home of NUP lawyer George Musisi.
Kyagulanyi was hit by the canister as he returned from the event and was treated at Nsambya Hospital before being discharged the next day.
He is now recovering at his home in Magere. The police’s concerns about his unwillingness to cooperate have added a new layer of complexity to an already tense situation.
Initially, the police said Kyagulanyi had “stumbled and fallen” during the altercation.
But later, they admitted that a full investigation was needed to figure out how exactly he was injured—whether by a tear gas canister, a bullet, or something else.
At a press briefing at Naguru Police headquarters, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kituuma Rusoke explained that the investigation had run into problems because Kyagulanyi wasn’t cooperating.
Kituuma said the police need Kyagulanyi’s account of what happened and his medical report to move forward, but they’ve had trouble reaching him.
“We sent a team to speak with him because he’s an important part of this investigation, but he hasn’t been willing to talk or provide his medical details. We need his side of the story and the report to proceed,” Kituuma said.
The police also pointed out that the National Unity Platform has been blaming the police instead of working with them.
Kituuma added, “When I gave a statement, they called it a lie. There are conflicting versions of what happened—one says he stumbled, and another says he was shot. We want to get to the bottom of this, but they keep accusing us of lying.”
Despite the challenges, the police are still willing to investigate and hope Kyagulanyi will eventually agree to cooperate.
On Friday, however, Kyagulanyi questioned the police’s ability to conduct a fair investigation, citing past false statements.
“They said I left the car and started a procession, which wasn’t true. Then they said I just stumbled and fell. I don’t believe the police can investigate themselves properly. Right now, my priority is my health, not dealing with a police force that has shown bias and dishonesty,” Kyagulanyi said.
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