Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom has rejected the deployment of Superintendent of Police Alex Mwine, the Mityana District Police Commander (DPC) who was transferred to Hoima in the same capacity.
Addressing journalists at his office this Friday afternoon, the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Prime Minister, Owek Andrew Byakutaaga said the kingdom rejects the deployment of Mr Mwine who has a record of questionable discipline.
On October 17, 2020, Mr Mwine together with Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Bob Kagarura, the Wamala Regional Police Commander commanded an operation that saw Buganda’s Mbogo clan chiefs and the retired Bishop of Masaka Diocese, Emeritus John Baptist Kaggwa, unleashed with tear gas and violently dispersed at Magulu in Zigoti town, Mityana district where they had convened for a thanksgiving ceremony for their leader, Mr Gajuule Kayiira Kasibante.
Earlier on in April 19, 2020, SP Mwine in his capacity as DPC Mityana commanded an operation that led to the violent arrest and torture of the Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament, Mr Francis Zaake.
“These two incidents among others clearly confirm that SP Alex Mwine is a very violent, unprofessional, biased and disrespectful officer not fit to serve at the level of a senior police officer. He’s the opposite of what’s expected of a professional senior member of the UPF and more so in charge of command”.
The last incident of October 17, 2020, promoted the leadership of Buganda kingdom to come out and strongly demand for the action against the two police officers and consequently the two have since been transferred with SP Mwine being posted to Hoima district.
The above actions caused widespread condemnation from members of the public which prompted Police to make a public apology.
The Prime Minister informed the media that he has written to the IGP requesting him to rescind the transfer of Mr Mwine to Hoima and instead deploy befitting disciplined officers.
Mr Ali Babi and Mr Ausi Balyesiima, the concerned citizens in Hoima say Mr Mwine’s discipline is wanting, thus, cannot be welcomed to Hoima.
Banyoro sensitive
Banyoro have of late become sensitive following different threats to their culture including massive immigration that is threatening Runyoro language, replacement of Runyoro historical names of places with languages of immigrants and the recent removal of Bunyoro history’s key facts from the national curriculum that government said was an oversight.
They remain worried the changes might not be made since learning is ongoing.
Struggle to retain the past glory of Bunyoro amid the above threats makes Banyoro more sensitive.
In December 2014, Banyoro were bitter with Hoima police under the command of the then DPC, Bernard Akankwasa, when one of the officers kicked the seat of His Highness (Rukirabasaija Agutamba) Omukama (King) Dr Solomon Gafabusa Iguru, at Rwengabi village, the kingdom hunting ground now in Kikuube district.
