Academic Accuses Police of Mishandling Assault Case, Alienating Access to Matrimonial Home

Strategic Insights -

Ugandan academic and Vice Chancellor of Kampala University, Prof Badru Ddungu Kateregga, claims senior officials of the Uganda Police Force have obstructed justice in his alleged aggravated assault case. He asserts that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID) and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) failed to act on instructions from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate his case and facilitate his return to his Shs5 billion matrimonial home in Buziga, Kampala.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prof Kateregga fled his residence in September 2024 after an alleged attempt on his life by his estranged wife, Ms Jolly Shubaiha Kateregga Irankunda, and has been denied access to the property.
  • Prof Kateregga's lawyers wrote to the IGP on May 26 requesting protection, with a response dated June 10 directing CID to investigate and assist him in regaining access to the home.
  • A follow-up directive issued on June 24 instructed Kampala Metropolitan Police to oversee a handover of the property in the presence of local authorities, which was allegedly ignored.
  • Prof Kateregga accuses Ms Irankunda of stealing a Range Rover, a Land Cruiser V8, over Shs100 million, $75,000 in cash, and other valuables, which she allegedly smuggled to Rwanda with the help of police.
  • Police spokesperson Mr Kituuma Rusoke dismissed the professor's claims as 'malicious and misleading,' stating that the matter is a private property dispute that should be resolved in civil court.
  • Prof Kateregga has called on relevant authorities to intervene, stating that it is disheartening that a law-abiding citizen and national contributor can be humiliated and denied justice.

Statistics:

  • Shs5 billion: the estimated value of the matrimonial home in Buziga, Kampala.
  • September 2024: the month Prof Kateregga fled his residence after an alleged attempt on his life by his estranged wife.
  • May 26: the date Prof Kateregga's lawyers wrote to the IGP requesting protection.
  • June 10: the date a response was issued directing CID to investigate and assist Prof Kateregga in regaining access to the home.
  • June 24: the date a follow-up directive was issued instructing Kampala Metropolitan Police to oversee a handover of the property in the presence of local authorities.
  • Shs100 million: the estimated value of a Range Rover allegedly stolen by Ms Irankunda.
  • $75,000: the amount of cash allegedly stolen by Ms Irankunda.

Sources:

  • Kampala University press release (no date)
  • Uganda Police Force spokesperson Mr Kituuma Rusoke (no date)
  • Prof Badru Ddungu Kateregga's lawyers (no date)
  • Inspector General of Police (IGP) directive (no date)
  • Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) opinion (no date)