A Ugandan police officer who was captured on video assaulting a supermarket attendant has been remanded to prison following formal charges of assault and threatening violence.
The officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Clive Nsiima, appeared before the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Criminal Court on Monday, October 13, 2025, and was sent to Luzira Prison pending trial.
The incident, which took place on October 6, 2025 at a Shell fuel station in Kyanja, Kampala, sparked public outrage after CCTV footage showing ASP Nsiima slapping a female cashier went viral.
Dressed in civilian clothes, Nsiima is seen in the video berating the attendant during a dispute over an unpaid bill of approximately Shs 30,000 (about $8), before striking her twice across the face.
The video captured Nsiima boasting about his status and daring the woman to take legal action.
“I am parking; have you ever driven such a car?” he shouts, before threatening, “I can slap you even with these cameras here and tomorrow we go to court.”
Following the incident, Nsiima was arrested during a joint operation conducted by officers from Kyanja Police Post and the Professional Standards Unit.
He was first produced before the police disciplinary court on October 7, and again on October 10, where he was charged with “scandalous behavior.”
The internal court recommended his dismissal from the force.
He was later today (October 13) produced in the criminal court to face more serious charges under Sections 235 and 236 of Uganda’s Penal Code Act, assault and threatening violence, offenses that carry a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison.
At first police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma had confirmed the arrest of Nsiima but refrained from publicly naming the suspect at the time.
However, internal police documents and court records confirm Nsiima’s identity and his attachment to the Oil and Gas Protection Unit under the Counter Terrorism Directorate.
The Uganda Police Force, in a statement, condemned the officer’s conduct and vowed to uphold professionalism and accountability within its ranks.
“No one is above the law,” a senior officer told reporters, assuring the public that the case would be handled transparently.
The supermarket attendant has since filed an official complaint and is receiving medical care and psychological support.
Her assault has ignited renewed debate over police abuse and accountability, with human rights advocates calling for stronger action against violent officers.
According to the Uganda Police Force’s 2023 Annual Crime Report, more than 15,300 cases of assault and threatening violence were reported across the country, making up nearly 9% of all registered crimes.
Advocacy groups note that a disturbing number of these cases involve law enforcement personnel, citing a persistent culture of impunity within the force.
