Why Should Law Enforcers Hide Their Faces, Mpuuga Questions Gen. Muhoozi

A serious debate took place in Parliament on Thursday as both government and opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) questioned the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi, about why security officers hide their faces while on duty.

The discussion started after Gen. Muhoozi presented a report about the violence against National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters during the ongoing Kawempe North by-election campaigns.

Armed officers, some in uniform and others in overalls marked "JAT" with the national flag, were seen using excessive force against Ugandans. This reminded many people of past violent events like Black November and the incidents in Arua.

While Gen. Muhoozi seemed to justify these actions, former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga strongly disagreed. He argued that the minister’s report did not seem genuine and suggested that it had been given to him just before he entered Parliament.

“That statement was just dropped on his desk as he rushed to this House. I refuse to recognize it as an official statement. Somebody must have written something in a hurry, and he merely read it. Otherwise, how could the Gen. David Muhoozi I know fairly well claim that some victims were part of an ‘illegal parade’ and thus deserved such treatment? That implies an act of reprisal, revenge, and retribution practices that have no place in the laws of our land. That can never be a statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs as I know it,” Mpuuga stated.

Mpuuga also asked whether the Electoral Commission had officially requested security support for the by-election.

“May we know from the minister whether such a request was made by the Commission? And if so, was it addressed to the police, as the legally mandated authority, or to another security agency? Could the minister clarify the nature of the situation that necessitated such reinforcement?” Mpuuga asked.

He raised more concerns about why law enforcement officers were covering their faces.

“The individuals seen in the widely circulated videos are all masked. Under what legal framework do officers enforcing the law conceal their identities? Why would those entrusted with upholding justice choose to operate in secrecy?” he questioned.

Mpuuga warned that Uganda was heading into a dangerous situation where unknown people were taking the role of law enforcement. He also pointed out that both the police and the army had denied any connection to these masked officers.

“So, may we know whether there is a mutiny within the security forces? Is the military experiencing internal dissent, leading to some elements acting out of control? If so, the nation should be alerted that rogue operatives are at large, operating without a clear command structure and thus posing a serious threat to the public,” he cautioned.

Former State Minister of Mineral Development, Sarah Opendi, also spoke about the issue, warning that the violence in Kawempe North could be a sign of what might happen in future elections.

“I watched the news and saw a prospective Member of Parliament being pulled off a motorcycle, thrown onto the ground, and assaulted.

Right Honorable Speaker, we have a history as a country, and we cannot afford to see this happening under the NRM government—a government we all celebrate for liberating Uganda. Who are these operatives? When I heard both the police and army denying any knowledge of them, I was left in shock. How can individuals wielding guns and sticks brutally beat Ugandans without being identified or apprehended? Worse still, they continued with these actions the following day,” Opendi lamented.

She also questioned why officers, if acting legally, needed to hide their faces.

“If they are not criminals, why are they hiding their identities? Why don’t they want to be seen by Ugandans?” she asked.

Opendi expressed her frustration and suggested that Parliament should think about changing Uganda’s political system from multiparty to a movement system.

“Our Constitution mandates the state to ensure free political participation for all Ugandans. Every citizen should be free to engage in politics and elect leaders of their choice. But if this is not the direction we want to take, should we reconsider holding elections at all? Right Honorable Speaker, should we revert to the movement system and abandon political parties? Because right now, parties are dividing Ugandans,” she asserted.

She also suggested that if political parties were creating problems, Parliament should consider amending the Constitution before the next elections.

“Can we address these concerns through constitutional amendments before the elections? Time is running out, and yet we remain silent as critical issues continue to escalate. We must discuss these matters before it is too late,” she concluded.