Ugandan police inspector general suspends 11 senior officers over assault of female MP

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Ugandan Police Inspector General Martin Okoth Ochola has suspended 11 senior police officers following an incident in which a female member of parliament and several opposition party supporters were brutally assaulted by security.

Among those suspended are acting regional police commander Superintendent Jamal Kanyesigye and district police commander Superintendent Michael Bagoole.

On April 21, Buvuma District Member of Parliament Suzan Nakaziba Mugabi was severely beaten when she and several other supporters of the leading opposition party the National Unity Platform were violently arrested by police officers who were stopping her from holding what they referred to as an illegal function.

She was later rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

According to Uganda Police spokesman Fred Enanga, Mugabi did not seek permission to belatedly hold Women’s Day celebrations in the district as required by the law.