Top military officer warns Justice Bamugemereire over harassing security officers

By Watchdog reporter

The Deputy Executive Director of Uganda Media Centre Col. Shaban Bantariza has warned Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, the head to of land Commission to stop harassing security officers over land matters.

According to Bantariza, it is not a wise idea over intimidate, over scare security council officers individually or worse collectively.

“In my humble view, but with hindsight of security responsibilities and sensibilities, it is not a good or wise idea to over intimidate, over scare and over frighten security officers, individually or worse collectively!! The result may be for them to withdraw into themselves, sit on the fence and lose or withdraw their pro-active sense of defence and security for us all and the result will be disastrous for us as a state, country or personally” he said.

Of recent, Bamugemereire and her commission have made a name in putting to book all the suspected land grabbers all over the country.

Early this week, Bamugemereire summoned the Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura to testify in regard Jinja land saga.

It is alleged that senior Police officers right from the regional police commander, the district police commanders, as well as political leaders including the Resident District Commissioner and District Internal Security Officer, offered protection to Movit Proprietor Simpson Birungi as he evicted and demolished properties belonging to poor tenants.

So far the police boss has suspended four top police officers who were involved in the saga.

However, Col Bantariza afterwards wrote a rejoinder on his page, clarifying that he did not mean to attack Justice Bamugemereire.

“It’s on record that NGOs, CSOs, political leaders and activists, have tried to intimidate security officers! Just as an example, Dr. Tanga Odoi recently “warned” Hon Gen Henry Tumukunde over Tororo politics, on tv and other media!” he wrote, this time pointing out Dr Tanga, the NRM electoral commission chairman.” 

“Justice Bamugemereire and her committee,” added Bantariza, “are currently doing Uganda proud??!!”