Assistant Superintendent of Police Clive Nsiima Barigye has been remanded to Luzira Prison by the City Hall Court on charges of assault.

Nsiima, a resident of Kyanja in Nakawa Division and an officer attached to the Counter Terrorism Directorate under the Oil and Gas Protection Unit, appeared in court on Monday afternoon. The case was heard before Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Nicholas Aisu, who presides over City Hall Court.

His arrest followed the viral spread of a CCTV video allegedly capturing him assaulting a female supermarket attendant at Shell Kyanja station after refusing to pay a 30,000 shillings bill for goods he had taken.

The footage shows a man in civilian clothing slapping a woman twice near the supermarket counter. The man can be heard boasting about his status, asking, "whether the lady had ever driven such a car," and questioning, "whether the Lady thought he would run away over 100,000 shillings," before slapping her again on camera.

Following the incident, Nsiima was arrested and held in police custody. He was brought before the court today and formally charged.

He faces two charges: assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to Section 219 of the Penal Code Act, and malicious damage to property under Section 312 (1) of the same Act.

The prosecution informed the court that on October 7, 2025, at the Shell Petrol Station in Kyanja, Kampala District, N/1817 Clive Nsiima Barigye willfully and unlawfully assaulted Pellan Atuhumuriize, causing her bodily harm. It is further alleged that he intentionally damaged the complainant’s Infinix Hot 10 smartphone, blue in color.

Nsiima pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The prosecution, led by State Attorney Mercy Yamangusho, told the court that investigations have been concluded and requested that a hearing date be set.

Represented by his lawyer Hamuza Kyamanywa, Nsiima applied for bail. The defense informed the court that he had since reconciled with the complainant. The complainant was present in Court, standing in front but she didn't deny the reconciliation nor say anything to confirm it.

The defense also presented three individuals to stand surety: Mushabe Daniel Katanyomba, an employee of the Internal Security Organization and resident of Kisozi Ward, Kyengera Town Council; Nsiima’s brother, Mark Igumira, a resident of Kyaliwajala in Namugongo, Kira Municipality; and Cynthia Nkwanzi, who lives in 1-8 LC Village, Nakawa Division.

The defense argued that [all the accused persons are presumed to be innocent unless proven to be guilty].

However, the prosecution objected to the bail application. Yamangusho argued that the defense had not disclosed the occupations of the sureties and noted that they appeared younger than the accused, suggesting they would not be effective in ensuring his return to court.

She emphasized that as a police officer, Nsiima was expected to uphold the law, not violate it. Highlighting the victim’s gender, she said, “it is an insult for a police officer instead of protecting her.” She further argued that the case had “gone viral and it will affect on the public on how they feel about the Court.”

According to the prosecutor, Nsiima acted “with impunity of the highest order” and that the court must send a strong message to the public. She maintained that “the public out there is very bitter and that the state investigations are still ongoing,” urging the court to deny bail and “let the law to take its course.”

In reply, Nsiima’s lawyer stated that surety Mushabe Daniel is 37 years old and works with the Internal Security Organization. He insisted that the court has a duty to promote reconciliation, which had already occurred between the accused and the complainant.

Regarding public outrage, the lawyer argued it was “submission from the bar” and not backed by any evidence. He added that it was in fact public concern that facilitated the reconciliation, and that the principle of the presumption of innocence should prevail.

After hearing both sides, Senior Principal Magistrate Aisu ruled that Nsiima be remanded until October 16, 2025, when the decision on his bail application will be delivered.

Source: URN