Kampala Capital City Authority has asked security agencies to investigate allegations that its enforcement officers assaulted a Chinese investor and took cash, mobile phones and more than 50 lighting poles during an operation at a business premises.
Not every Chinese is Jackie Chan with instant martial arts skills to entertain his attackers and onlookers. That is the lessons a couple of law enforcers from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) are set to learn after they found one and pulled of 'woo-hee-waa-cho' kicks on the fella, who turned out hapless and cluessless about fighting.
Apparently, he was just an investor. And, no, he did not deal in boxing gloves and nunchaku (chainsticks).
KCCA has called on security agencies to investigate allegations of assault and the seizure of property belonging to Chinese investors during an enforcement operation at their business premises.
The investors allege that enforcement officers assaulted one of them, identified as Ran Kevin, during the operation and took cash from him during his arrest.
They also claim that mobile phones and more than 50 lighting poles were taken from the premises.
The incident reportedly occurred during an operation in which the investors were informed that their premises were not authorised for the type of business they were conducting. However, the investors insist they possess the necessary permits to operate from the location.
According to the investors, the operation was led by an official identified as Joel from KCCA’s Physical Planning department.
They further allege that Jacqueline Hellen Atugonza, a legal officer at KCCA, initially declined to grant Ran bail following his detention.
The investors say Ran was eventually released on bail at about 9pm after negotiations.
They also claim to have reported the incident to police but had not received an update on the progress of their complaint by the time of reporting.
KCCA spokesperson Daniel Nuwabiine confirmed that the authority’s enforcement officers conducted the operation, saying it was intended to stop the investors from operating an industrial facility in an area designated for residential use.
“The operation was intended to stop the Chinese investors from operating an industrial facility in an area designated for residential use,” Nuwabiine said.
However, he disputed allegations that KCCA officers assaulted the investors, maintaining that the injuries were inflicted by other people.
Nuwabiine called on security agencies to investigate the incident and establish what happened during the enforcement exercise.
“Security agencies should investigate the matter thoroughly and establish what happened during the operation,” he said.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the enforcement operation, the alleged assault, Ran’s detention and subsequent release on bail, and the claims that cash, mobile phones and lighting poles were taken.
The allegations against the enforcement officers have not been independently verified. The outcome of the investigations is expected to clarify the circumstances of the incident and whether any wrongdoing occurred.