The former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Gen Kale Kayihura is a free man after the General Court Martial today dropped all charges against him.
The former police chief has been battling charges relating to failure to protect war materials, failure to supervise police officers, and abetting kidnap of Rwandan refugees that were forcefully repatriated back home.
According to UPDF Deputy Spokesperson Col. Deo Akiiki, Kayihura’s acquittal was based on state withdrawal of charges, and consequently General Court Martial discharged and set him free from the court today 30th Aug 2023.
The request of Nolle prosique was made by the UPDF Director of Prosecutions and lead Prosecutor of General Court Martial Lt Col Raphael Mugisha -Col. Deo noted.
“Therefore since state lost interest in the charges against the General as per the state, court had to discharge and set free the accuses General. And subsequently a release order was issued by the Chairman General Court Martial Brig General Robert Mugabe.” He stated.
Kayihura was on March 4, 2018, sacked from the position of IGP which he had held for over 12 years, and was replaced by his then-deputy Martins Okoth Ochola.
In June the same year, he was arrested in an operation spearheaded by then deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Wilson Mbadi who is now the CDF.
In his last days as IGP, Kayihura proposed that suspects with capital offences like murder, terrorism, and robbery be held for at least 90 days before being taken to court to enable investigators to gather more than enough evidence for a successful prosecution.
Kayihura has been on bail since 2020 but there have been reports that President Museveni agreed to drop all the charges against Kayihura.
In an interview with journalists at Makindye Military Court, Kayihura who appeared in a black suit and a white shirt thanked president Museveni and the leadership of the UPDF for the acquittal.
“The General Court Martial has acquitted me after finding out that I am innocent. I thank our President and the army leadership. I am extremely happy” Kayihura said.