The Internal Security Organisation (ISO) director-general, Col Kaka Bagyenda, has spoken out about reports that he participated in a conspiratorial scheme to frame and influence the US to impose sanctions against former Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura.
Kaka in an interview with New Vision at Nakasero noted that he was one of the unhappy people after it was announced that the US had slapped sanctions on Kayihura and his family.
He denied reports that he was part of a clique of army officers who had planted allegations against Kayihura and plotted to frame him.
“Why does he think that I came all the way from Kalangala, where I was in retirement before being appointed the head of ISO, to plan his downfall? I have never had any conflict with Kayihura and I am one of those people who are unhappy about the sanctions,” Kaka noted.
“I can tell you that the few times I interacted with Kayihura all went on well. I even shared some sensitive information with him. If he was only honest enough, he would reveal a lot,” Kaka noted.
He noted that when he was sharing the information he thought he was sharing it with a colleague who was overwhelmed by the sheer level of lack of good cadres in the Police.
“At a certain time, I even felt that maybe the President had given too much attention to the army and forgotten about the Police,” he stated.
The US on September 13 announced travel and economic sanctions against Kayihura, citing evidence of serious human rights abuse against Ugandans, corruption, and torture.
Kayihura and his spouse, Angela Umurisa Gabuka, his daughter, Tesi Uwibambe, and his son, Kale Rudahigwa, are barred from traveling to the US.
In response, Kayihura referred to the US statements as baseless, unverified and outrageous. He argued that the accusations were part of plans by some elements within Uganda, who were targeting to tarnish his name.
The ISO boss denied fabricating allegations against Kayihura and other Police officers who worked closely with him and were arrested. These include Senior Commissioner of Police Joel Aguma and Senior Superintendent of Police Nixon Agasirwe.
Kaka also denied that ISO was running safe houses in which they were torturing suspects. He argued that some alleged victims of torture, who appeared before the parliamentary committee on human rights and narrated harrowing tales, were paraded by some political elements who wanted to achieve their selfish motives.
Kaka admitted that ISO operates some safe houses, but noted that they are for keeping suspects safe and not torturing them.