Kagadi DPC transferred amid protest over knocking of resident
The deceased was identified as Magezi Tuhaise, 28, a resident of Bugambaihe Cell Muhorro Town Council.
Kagadi: The Kagadi district police commander (DPC), SP Patrick Opio has been transferred amid speculations from the public that he has been transfered over the death of a protester.
However, police have denied allegations that their officer has been transferred due to the recent death of one person during the demonstration in Kagadi over the poor road network in Muhoro.
Julius Allan Hakiza, the Albertine Region police mouthpiece, revealed that, as with any normal transfer, Opio has been transferred to Jinja Road Police, still in his position as a DPC, and has peacefully handed over to SP Hussain Mugarura, who is now the new DPC for Kagadi.
Hakiza clarified that if it were the case that he was being transferred due to one person dying during the demonstration, he would be suspended and on investigation, but that is not the case.
On February 26, 2024, one person was knocked dead by a speeding vehicle registration number UG 6998M belonging to Kagadi District Local Government as residents demonstrated over the poor state of Muhorro-Ndaiga Road in Kagadi district.
The deceased was identified as Magezi Tuhaise, 28, a resident of Bugambaihe Cell Muhorro Town Council.
The demonstrators blocked the road with barricades and big stones, paralyzing traffic flow, carrying placards, and marching along the dilapidated 31-kilometer road leading to Lake Albert.
The deceased was knocked by the double cubin pickup vehicle that belonged to the Health Department of Kagadi and was carrying District Chairperson Yosia Ndibwami.
On March 6, 2024, the Kagadi grade one magistrate’s court sitting in Kagadi town council remanded a driver of the Kagadi district chairperson for knocking the protester dead.
Stephen Tibihikira, 38, a resident of Kitema Village, Mugalike Parish, Kyenzige Sub County, Kagadi District, was remanded to Mambugu government prison for causing death through reckless driving.
The court was presided over by his worship. Edward Kayukyi heard that on February 26, 2024, around 9:30 a.m., at Igurika Cell Muhorro Town Council, the driver knocked dead Tuhaise Magezi, 25.
The court also heard that while driving LC5 Chairman Ndibwami B. Yosia and other occupants in the vehicle registration number UG 6998M along Muhorro-Bwikara-Ndaiga Road, Tuhaise was knocked dead due to a speed that was dangerous in public.
In dock, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, which compelled the court to remand him to Mambugu government prison until March 26th, this year, before the same court.
Again, on March 7, 2024, police in Kagadi district summoned six individuals over a protest that later resulted in the death of one.
Among them is the country director of World Voices Uganda, Gad Benda.
The Kagadi Central Police Station CID Officer, Resty Maanda, told this publication that Benda was jointly summoned with the other six ring leaders of the demonstration, whom she declined to identify for fear of jeopardizing the investigations.
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