By Editorial,
The General Court Martial has withdrawn all criminal charges against the former Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura.
The charges including failure to protect war materials, supervise police officers and abetting kidnap were withdrawn today before a seven-member panel led by Brigadier General Freeman Robert Mugabe.
On August 24, 2018, Kayihura appeared before the seven-member panel of the UPDF General Court Martial presided over by then Chairman, Lt. General Andrew Gutti to plead to the charges after had earlier been arrested from his upcountry home in Kashagama in Lyantonde District before being airlifted to Kampala.
The prosecution said that between 2010 and 2018, on various occasions, Kayihura issued firearms to unauthorized persons specifically members of Boda-boda 2010 under the leadership of Abdullah Kitatta whose group was accused of disrupting opposition rallies in several parts of the country.
When the case came up today, the Prosecution led by Lt Col Raphael Mugisha and Private Regina Nanzala said they had instructions to withdraw charges against Kayihura, leaving Brigadier Freeman with no other choice but to read the withdrawal document tendered before him and consequently to discharge Kayihura.
Gen. Kayihura who appeared in the dock in a black suit thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, his friends, and well-wishers for standing with him throughout all this time, left chanting slogans of freedom at last.
Gen. Kayihura speaking…….
In 2021 during the presidential campaigns in Kisoro District, NRM led by Kisoro District LCV Chairperson, Abel Bizimana asked Museveni to pardon Kayihura who has been reporting to court Registrar Col John Bizimana on a monthly basis as ordered by General Gutti. END