The Uganda Police Force has issued an official statement clarifying its role in an ongoing domestic dispute between Prof. Badru Kateregga and his wife, Mrs. Jolly Shubaiha Kateregga, distancing itself from any authority to resolve the matter or enforce eviction from property.
The dispute came under intense public scrutiny after a video of Prof. Kateregga began circulating online, in which he accused his wife of violence and misconduct.
“My wife took my phone, which I didn’t mind at first, but she used it to insult very important people. When I tried to take it back, she pushed me and I hit my head,” Prof. Kateregga said in the video, which has since gone viral on social media.
In response to rising speculation and criticism, the Uganda Police Force released a two-page press statement dated July 25, 2025, detailing the chronology of events and clarifying their legal mandate.
According to the police, the case was first brought to their attention on November 7, 2024, and was thoroughly investigated under file CID HQRS/GEF 306/204. The matter was later referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for legal advice.
Following a review, the ODPP ruled on February 18, 2025, that the matter centered around property ownership and family management issues—domains that fall outside police jurisdiction and are best resolved in civil court.
“The expectation by Prof. Kateregga that police or CID in particular, has powers to remove Mrs. Jolly Shubaiha Kateregga from the premises is outside our mandate,” the statement read in part.
Police emphasized that:
- They cannot alter possession of disputed property without a court order.
- Their operations must comply with legal frameworks and the guidance of institutions like the ODPP.
- The public should disregard any suggestion that the Uganda Police can act outside established legal channels.
“Any notion that the police can override the opinion of the ODPP or carry out actions contrary to established legal procedures is unfounded,” the statement added.
The Uganda Police Force urged all parties involved to seek redress through lawful and civil processes and reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality and legal adherence.
This incident has reignited public debate on domestic conflicts involving prominent figures, with many Ugandans weighing in on social media regarding gender dynamics, abuse, and the limits of police intervention in civil matters.
