6 police officers arrested over Bebe Cool, Capt. Namara saga

KAMPALA, UGANDA: At least six police officers from Ntinda police station have been arrested in regard to the incident involving renowned local musician, Moses Ssali alias Bebe Cool, and one Captain Namara from the Uganda People’s Defense Forces-UPDF.

Trouble started at the City bar in Ntinda on Saturday evening when Capt. Namara scratched Bebe Cool’s car in the parking lot, which led to a verbal exchange. Capt. Namara allegedly drew his gun, but he was subdued by a policeman with the help of Bebe Cool and his friends. He was taken to Ntinda police station for custody.

However, it is alleged that five plain-clothed men besieged the police station shortly after and rescued Capt. Namara. The Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, says that six police officers are in custody at the Railway police station in connection with the incident.

A team from Kampala North regional police headquarters and Kira road that superintends Ntinda police station have recorded statements from Bebe Cool and the six police officers. Owoyesigyire explains that the six police officers were arrested for escalating the incident.

He says that the team has also retrieved footage from the Closed Circuit Television—CCTV for review to determine who was in the wrong and whether a gun was indeed pointed at Bebe Cool as he alleges.

“We have retrieved the CCTV footage and are reviewing the contents to establish whether a gun was drawn as alleged by Bebe Cool.” We are also looking into the allegation of the physical exchange between the two parties, which could have attracted other friends,” Owoyesigyire said. Shortly after the incident, he posted a message on his Facebook page alleging that Captain Namara wanted to shoot him.

“This man wanted to shoot me after knocking my car over… But we managed to disarm him and he was arrested by a police officer. I was immediately asked by the police officer to go make a statement at the station. On arrival at the station, his colleagues had arrived at the station, rounded it off, and had put the police officers at gunpoint. They commanded me to vacate the premises and nearly shot at me. “I had to run to my car and the driver took off,” Bebe Cool said.

Capt. Namara, who claims to have sustained injuries in the scuffle, is reportedly hospitalised at Gemini Medical Center. He will undergo interrogation once he stabilizes.