Kampala, Uganda: The Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Clive Nsiima, who was captured on CCTV slapping a female shop attendant at a supermarket in Kyanja, has been remanded to Luzira Prison on charges of assault and malicious damage to property.
ASP Nsiima was filmed in the incident, which occurred on October 7, and went viral on social media, sparking widespread public outrage and prompting swift disciplinary and criminal proceedings by the Uganda Police Force.
The accused officer today, Monday October 13, appeared before Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Nicholas Aisu at City Hall Court, where he was formally charged and will now remain in custody at Luzira Prison until October 16, when the court is expected to rule on his bail application.
ASP Nsiima’s lawyer, Hamaza Kyamanywa, told court that the officer and the complainant, Ms. Pellan Atuhumurize, had reconciled, and she had filed an additional statement confirming the same. Kyamanywa urged the court to consider bail, noting that Nsiima’s sureties were credible and that the accused remained presumed innocent until proven guilty.
However, State Prosecutor Mercy Yamangusho opposed the bail request, arguing that the accused’s actions were an abuse of his authority as a police officer and that granting bail would undermine public confidence in the justice system.
“This is impunity of the highest order, where a police officer, instead of protecting a woman, assaulted her. The public is bitter, and the court must send a message that such behavior cannot be tolerated,” Ms. Yamangusho said.
She added that the offence attracted public interest due to its viral circulation, insisting that bail denial was necessary to allow full investigations and maintain public trust.
In defense, Kyamanywa said the prosecution’s arguments were speculative and unsupported, stressing that the accused had complied with all legal requirements for bail and presented credible sureties, including an ISO officer.
“Courts implore reconciliation under Section 160 of the Magistrates Courts Act. We ask that the court considers this matter with fairness and not on public sentiment,” the defense lawyer said.
What exactly happened?
According to Ms. Atuhumurize, the altercation began when ASP Nsiima and a female companion ordered a pack of condoms and two cans of beer but attempted to drive off without paying. When she tried to stop them, the officer allegedly became aggressive and slapped her twice, an act captured by the shop’s CCTV cameras.
“I grabbed his collar to prevent him from leaving without paying. He then got out, abused me, and slapped me twice,” Ms. Atuhumurize said.
A private security guard from Tayari Security, a firm owned by retired AIGP Asan Kasingye, allegedly attempted to intervene during the altercation but could not do much.
AIGP Kasingye later confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the guard involved was from his company and that the matter was being investigated thoroughly. “I was the first person informed. The guard you see in the video belongs to Tayari Security. There’s even more to this story — a pistol was drawn. Let the police involve us in the investigation,” Kasingye posted.
Impunity swept under the carpet?
ASP Nsiima’s incident has reignited public debate about police conduct and use of force. In recent years, several senior officers have been implicated in violent acts:
For example, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Julius Ahimbisibwe was suspected of shooting his ex-wife and injured her. Months later, SSP Ahimbisibwe was found dead in his home on suspicion that he had taken his life.
Similarly, ASP Moses Acaye, formerly an Officer-in-charge of Alebtong District, reportedly shot a civilian in Adjumani District during a mob altercation in February 2024, and to date, the officer suspect remains at large.
Just in December 2024, another incident happened near State House Nakasero, when a police officer, Constable Charles Bahati, shot dead a truck driver, Julius Ssemwaka, and to date, the killer officer’s whereabouts are still unknown.
The judiciary has since emphasized the need for disciplinary reforms within the force to restore public confidence in law enforcement.
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