The Uganda Police Force has refuted accusations by Professor Badru Kateregga, who alleged police inaction in a domestic dispute involving his wife, Jolly Shubaiha Kateregga. According to the Force, the matter lies beyond its legal remit and is more appropriately resolved through civil court proceedings.
In a detailed statement released Friday, the Police addressed the mounting public scrutiny and media attention surrounding the high-profile dispute. The matter was brought to light by Prof. Kateregga, the founder and Chancellor of Kampala University, who publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the Force’s handling of the situation.
“The domestic dispute between Prof. Kateregga and his wife was brought to our attention on 7th November 2024. It was fully investigated under file number CID HQRS/GEF 306/204 and subsequently submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for legal guidance,” the statement read.
Following a review, the ODPP advised—on 18th February 2025—that the core of the disagreement centers around property ownership and management. As such, it falls squarely within the civil domain, not the criminal, and is therefore outside the Police’s enforcement powers.
“The expectation by Prof. Kateregga that Police, or the Criminal Investigations Directorate in particular, has powers to remove Jolly Shubaiha Kateregga from the premises is outside our mandate,” the Force clarified.
Police further stressed that it is not within their authority to enforce property transfers or take possession of contested premises without a valid court order in place.
“Any request to act outside of this legal framework, or in the absence of a court order, cannot be entertained,” the statement emphasized.
Acknowledging the sensitivity and complexity of the dispute, the Police reaffirmed its role as a neutral enforcer of the law, bound by clearly defined legal limitations.
“As custodians of the law, the Uganda Police can only act within the boundaries of the law. We work in close collaboration with institutions like the ODPP, whose advice and directives we follow without deviation,” the statement continued.
The Force urged both parties to pursue resolution through lawful civil procedures and cautioned against unrealistic expectations of police intervention.
“Any notion that the Police can override the opinion of the ODPP or carry out actions contrary to established legal procedures is unfounded,” it concluded.
While withholding specifics about the property in question, Police underscored that no preferential treatment would be extended to either party in what remains a private civil matter.
