Mbarara City, Uganda – Four police officers have been arrested and detained following the release of a video showing them dragging an elderly woman, Victoria Kabatoraine, through the mud during an arrest. The incident, which occurred in Mbarara City, Western Uganda, has sparked widespread public outrage and calls for accountability.
The officers involved in the incident have been identified as ASP Andrew Betunga, Detective Constable Darious Aharizira, Detective Constable Hope Nsasirwe, and Detective Constable Loyce Kiboneka. According to police reports, the officers were executing the arrest of Kabatoraine, a resident of Lubiri Cell in Mbarara City, on trespassing charges.
The Uganda Police Force has condemned the actions seen in the video, stating that the method of arrest violated the force’s professional standards. “The method of arrest depicted in this video is unacceptable and contradicts our professional standards,”
a police spokesperson said in a statement.
The officers have been detained in Mbarara as investigations into the incident continue. The force emphasized its commitment to holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
The video has reignited criticism of the Uganda Police Force, which has faced repeated allegations of excessive force and unprofessional conduct over the years. While public condemnation of such incidents is common, critics argue that systemic issues within the force remain unaddressed, leading to the recurrence of similar abuses.
The detention of the officers has been welcomed by many Ugandans as a step toward justice, but there is growing pressure on authorities to implement comprehensive reforms to prevent future incidents. Public attention now shifts to the outcomes of the investigation and whether this case will lead to meaningful change in the police force’s conduct.
