Former Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, expressed his overwhelming joy and relief after the General Court Martial in Makindye dropped all charges against him. The development comes just hours ahead of his official retirement from the active service of the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), making the timing all the more poignant.
"I am extremely happy. I have never been this happy because I have got freedom and justice. This is sweet freedom. You can’t imagine! You only appreciate freedom when you lose it and appreciate how valuable it is." Gen Kayihura conveyed his emotions while speaking to the media.
Gen Kayihura's journey to this moment began when he was arrested shortly after being removed from his position as the police chief in 2018. At the time, he was arrested alongside a number of police commanders. Subsequently, he faced multiple charges, including failing to protect war material by providing unauthorized individuals, including members of the Boda Boda 2010 group led by Abdallah Kitatta, with arms between 2010 and 2018.
The former police chief was also accused of aiding and abetting the kidnapping and repatriation of Rwandan exiles, refugees, and Ugandan citizens to Rwanda between 2012 and 2016. These allegations were strongly denied by Gen Kayihura, who maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.
The charges against Gen Kayihura related to accusations of arming individuals with questionable motives and allowing refugees seeking asylum to be abducted and returned to Rwanda – a country they were fleeing.
Despite being released on bail, the charges remained until the General Court Martial finally dropped them on Wednesday, marking a significant turning point in Gen Kayihura's legal battle.
In his post-court statement, Gen Kayihura expressed gratitude towards President Museveni and the UPDF for their roles in securing his freedom. He also thanked the court and its officers, as well as expressing his thanks to God for "sustaining and protecting me by His grace."
The timing of this development is particularly noteworthy, as it precedes Gen Kayihura's official retirement from the UPDF, scheduled to take place at State House in Entebbe. The confluence of these events adds an extra layer of significance to this chapter in his life.
As Gen Kale Kayihura steps into his new chapter of retirement with his legal battles behind him, the announcement of his exoneration has been met with a mix of reactions from the public, marking the culmination of a journey that has spanned several years.
