Following an assault on a traffic police officer in the city center in Nakasero near Mukwano Mall on Monday evening, the RX Radio presenter James Onen aka Fatboy appealed to Lt. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Commander Land Forces, to impart discipline in his forces.
This comes after a video which went viral on social media showed a UPDF officer jump off a military vehicle with a registration number D02DF08P and was seen ordering a traffic officer to pave way for them.
The traffic officer asked them to be patient and wait for the traffic to clear. In anger, one of the army officers jumped off their vehicle, pulled and dragged him by the collar in a manner many thought was disrespectful, as his colleagues rushed to rescue him but in vain.
This wasn't the first time traffic police officers have been assaulted by their counterparts in the Military. On January 16, 2022, Police constable Robert Mukebezi lost his leg to amputation when a UPDF soldier shot at him before dragging him out of a towing vehicle that was taking their boss’s UPDF wrecked car to Old Kira Police station.
“This would be a fantastic opportunity for The commander of Land Forces when he has some free time away from organizing birthday parties, maybe he can talk to his people because they are all under him. He is their commander and needs to school them that they are here to serve Ugandans, that they aren't above the law. in other words, that they aren't special. Our commander Land Forces needs to let them know,” Fatboy emphasized.
Although authorities arrested the entire crew involved, Fatboy said that in various similar incidents, army officers are arrested but trials for their actions never happen. “So I wonder, do they not care that there could be repercussions for this behavior?” Fatboy asked.
“I think they behave like this because they know that the arrest is just for news and then they are released. Because if you know that my friend is in prison for this, you won't do it, replied Olive Najjuma, a co-host of the Show.
Additionally Fatboy commented, “At this point, it's quite clear that Military officers do believe themselves to be above the law, they believe themselves to be superiors compared to all other civil servants, security service officers to a point where they can just grab you and pull you wheely nelly. Now I think traffic cops need to carry their own guns because that's the reason they mess with them.”
According to traffic laws, ambulances, private cars in emergency situations, police and army patrol vehicles on a mission, Prime minister and First Deputy, Chief Justice and his Vice, Central Bank vehicles, the Vice President and the President together with his convoy are the only people that have right of way.
The Fatboy show is hosted by James Onen aka Fatboy, Olive and Sarah every weekday from 6am to 10am on RX Radio.