On Saturday, senior NRM party senior cadre also the commissioner in charge of RDCs Fred Bamwine clashed with the newly party recruit Abdul Katuntu formerly Bugweri County MP over the ongoing pattern of the civilian abductions.
The sharp disagreement stemmed from what Katuntu called justification of the security operative’s lawlessness conduct by commissioner Bamwine. It was in reference to the recent abduction of the former Butambala County MP Muwanga, and the viral video of the plain clothed operatives who on Monday 20th fired several gunshots at Kisekka market in Kampala down town after traders therein blocked their attempted kidnap of their fellow, which has since then sparked public outrage.
The police had defended the operation in the statement, saying the officers discharged warning shots into the air to disperse an unruly crowd and restore order.
Speaking from the Capital Radio’s July Saturday 26 Capital Gang Show, Katuntu slummed the security operatives for conducting operations outside the existing legal framework, noting they were adversely affecting the country’s image externally and the economy.
“Why I was taken up a little bit by Mr. Bamwine because he is in charge of security somehow. RDCs are in charge of security and if we don’t talk to them like this they will continue doing it, and they should know that there is a section of population which is not happy with what is going on”. Katuntu told off Bamwine.
Bamwine had defended the state operations as an intelligence led only aimed at weeding off criminal elements. However, Katuntu’s reply was not kind to his defensive responses which he called bullshit.
“Actually, what you’re saying is very annoying and nobody listening to you is pleased to what you’re saying. Do people commit crimes, of course they commit crimes? Should government look on when people commit crimes, of course no people should be arrested. Does the law envisage how they be arrested, it does. Does it give guidelines, yes it does. Did you follow the guidelines, no. You just find not following guidelines and you want me to listen to you, why am I a lawyer, why am I a good citizen, I will not listen to that bullshit”.
Katuntu who crossed to the ruling NRM party from opposition in the buildup of campaigns to the 2026 elections observed that, Uganda is in a legal dilemma arising from the Muwanga Kivumbi’s abduction and disregard of rule of law.
“Mr. Bamwine, he was abducted under the similar circumstance you’re justifying and what happens there was an application for writ of habeas corpus”.
According to Katuntu who is also one of the best senior High Court advocates in town, the writ of habeas corpus is when the government is asked through Court to produce the body of any missing person dead or alive if held beyond the 48 constitutionally mandated hours.
The former Bugweri County MP indicated that the recent Uganda’s placement by the USA under countries not to travel to- at level 4, was as a result of undermining the rule of law, warning it will seriously affect foreign investment, income, business to Uganda and her image if not reversed.
Another NRM party legal cadre Edgar Tabaaro raised concerns of the numerous constitutional violations, which if not restrained will seriously impact the country’s legal landscape.
“We set ourselves in 1994 under the 1995 constitution with a preamble to that constitution raising out very clearly where we’re coming from and we’re sharing a destiny for posterity.”
Tabaaro also a legal practitioner noted that the constitutional provisions were being the minimum standards that cannot be run away from other than giving them a force. “Can the state legitimately use force, yes, but under wat circumstances and under what circumstances do you arrest and enforce lawful orders. The moment you go against them, you’re diluting what we had set out to do”.
Wafula Ogutu, one of the PFF party’s elders recounted the unpleasant experience of enforced disappearances against several members of his party, insisting it undermines the due process of the law.
“Muwanga, it is RDC working under Bamwine who told police to set up a road block in Mpigi to have him arrested. Everybody saw police hiding Muwanga to be abducted by the people who didn’t have uniform in the car which wasn’t labelled and is justifying this? It is very annoying, people are going to resist this, you can’t push people forever and they will push back”.
Following the release of several shots of verbal artillery at him from his critics, Bamwine however acknowledged their concerns as legitimate, before indicating that they will be addressed by the head of state.
“One of your children can go and misbehave, these agencies that carryout security. All these security agencies have disciplinary Courts and tribunals, army Court Marshal, police-tribunal even intelligence services, the beauty is that we listen from what’s happening, go back and correct”.
Bamwine further arrayed the public concerns of the growing security impunity, saying, it will be addressed using the existing internal mechanisms.
“We have the head of state who is the consumer of intelligence in this country, from time to time he will always come and update the country on what is happening”.
This comes amidst ongoing demand for Kivumbi’s whereabouts by various stake holders including religious leaders from the muslim faith, activists and politicians from the ruling and opposition political formations.
