Minister Idah Nantaba has had a sharp exchange with CIID Director Grace Akullo. This happened Friday evening when Akullo, on orders of her police superiors, drove to the Minister’s Namugongo residence near the Martyrs shrines. Sources say that on arrival, Akullo introduced herself to Nantaba with whom she has been corresponding regarding the requirement for the bubbly minister to make a statement to aid investigations into the murder of Ronald Sebulime who was shot dead last week by Police operatives. They were responding to Nantaba’s report claiming he was trailing her while riding on a huge bike with an aim of bumping her off. Nantaba refused to respond to police summons saying the President had directed her to keep indoors until he instructs her to do otherwise. For that conduct, Nantaba has been condemned by many people including her own NRM Party women league chairperson Lydia Wanyoto who said by disclosing her private discussions with the President, Nantaba was crossing the red line and bringing the office of the President into disrepute. Presidential Assistant Gen Proscovia Nalweyiso too condemned Nantaba for being a show off wondering why she was publicly bragging about speaking to the President in confidence. But Minister Kahinda Otafiire is one of the few people who have defended Nantaba saying she is right to shun police because the manner in which they killed Sebulime after she reported to them was suspicious and good reason for her not to trust them to act in good faith.
AKULLO BUST UP
On reaching the Namugongo residence, family sources say, Nantaba calmly welcomed Akullo but immediately started ranting at her after exchanging pleasantries. Akullo communicated her readiness to interrogate Nantaba and record a statement based on her answers. Akullo came driving in a police vehicle Prado TX UP 4821. Family sources say Nantaba refused saying she was too big for such questioning being an influential minister. She preferred that police relies on her own written statement narrating or recounting what happened. She showed Akullo the statement saying that was sufficient as all the contents are based on what she saw and how she reacted on feeling threatened by Sebulime. Akullo declined saying she preferred interrogation (permitting follow up questions) which Nantaba vigorously refused and referred to earlier instances where Gen Matayo Kyaligonza was permitted to submit a written narrative as opposed to police interrogation. Nantaba (whose issue is also already being looked into by a cabinet subcommittee comprising of D/AG Mwesigwa Rukutana, foreign affairs minister Okello Oryem and Interior Minister JJ Odongo) wondered why Akullo wasn’t allowing her to benefit from the similar arrangement Kyaligonza was permitted. In the end, a crestfallen Akullo left the residence promising to consult and return to see the best way forward. She returned Saturday morning but Nantaba remained adamant and unhelpful. Family sources say the duo took 2 hours with Akullo trying to impress it on Nantaba that police wasn’t acting in bad faith but the Kayunga woman MP stuck to her guns and advised Akullo to leave her home. This comes at a time when police say they are ready to proceed with presenting their own three murderous officers to the courts of law anytime next week. These are PC Ronald Opira, PC Edward Bagonza and Cpl David Ssali who actually pulled the trigger. There is also Edward Cheritich who fled before arrest and the hunt for him continues.
