IGP Ochola’s apology was passed on by Asan Kasingye who led a delegation to purposely meet the Head of the Mbogo Clan.
The Inspector General of Police, Martins Okoth Ochola Friday issued an apology to the Mbogo Clan fraternity over disruptions caused during the thanksgiving ceremony of the Clan at the clan headquarters in Mugulu village, in Singo.
Ochola’s apology was passed on by the Chief Political Commissar of police, Asan Kasingye who led a delegation to purposely meet the Head of the Mbogo Clan and deliver his apologies to him, his family and the wider Mbogo Clan fraternity, over the disappointing scene.
In a statement, IGP Ochola said that he carried out a thorough review and evaluation of the incident, and acknowledged the operational lapse which led to the use of teargas that spread and impacted on the congregation and the public.
As a result, he extended his apologies in addition to the earlier ones made insisting that the incident was a regrettable one.
“I wish to applaud the head of the Mbogo Clan for his resilient and steadfast leadership during this disruptive incident by the territorial Police,” part of the IGP’s statement read.
He however, requested all leaders including those intending to hold cultural meetings to always involve the Police in their programmes for better coordination.
“I also want to request all leaders including (cultural leaders) to ensure they involve the police for better coordination in this Covid-19 pandemic in order to mitigate the risks of Covid-19 transmission among the entire public,” Ochola added.
“The UPF would like to use this opportunity to thank the general public for the support so far in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Meanwhile, this comes at a time when the police is still receiving criticism following last weekend’s incident that saw security officers fire teargas to disperse Buganda Kingdom’s Mbogo Clan members who had convened at the clan’s ancestral ground, located at Mugulu in Ziggoti Town Council in a thanksgiving service for their clan head, Gajuule Kasibante.
The thanks giving mass was led by retired Masaka Diocese Bishop, John Baptist Kaggwa but midway through the proceedings, police approached the area and requested the masses to depart the premises because their gathering was illegal.
Earlier on while addressing journalists, Fred Enanga the police spokesperson said that the police intention was to disperse Hon Francis Zaake and his supporters who were holding political discussions.
Enanga explained that the tear gas was aimed at a group 500 meters away from the thanks giving venue but because it can spread up to a distance of one kilometer it circulated and now everyone’s focus is that it was aimed at the group.
