The once-bold cop caught on camera slapping a supermarket attendant at a Shell Select store in Kyanja now finds himself behind bars.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Clive Nsiima Barigye, 34, was on Monday hauled before City Hall Court in a dramatic first public hearing that drew tears, gasps, and whispers from the crowd.
Masked officer who slapped
Nsiima, a Counter Terrorism officer under the Oil and Gas Protection Unit, walked into court wearing a face mask to hide his expression, a far cry from the swaggering officer seen in the viral video.
Before Grade One Magistrate Winfred Nabbanja, the State Attorney, Sandra Nagaddya, read two charges: assault and malicious damage to property. Prosecutors said Nsiima slapped supermarket attendant Pellan Atuhumurize twice and smashed her smartphone, worth about Shs 1.2 million, during an argument over a Shs 30,000 beer-and-condom purchase on the night of October 7, 2025.
The chilling CCTV clip that outraged the country shows Nsiima shouting, “Do you know who I am? I can slap you even with these cameras here!” before landing two slaps on the terrified shop attendant as his female companion pleaded with him to stop.
In court, Nsiima pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Simon Kaggwa Duya, told the magistrate that the parties had reached an “amicable settlement” involving medical compensation, a new phone, and an apology. He begged for bail, describing the act as “a one-off mistake worsened by alcohol.”
But Magistrate Nabbanja wasn’t swayed. She denied bail and ordered Nsiima’s remand to Luzira Upper Prison until October 16, citing the officer’s abuse of power and the seriousness of the case. “The video evidence is irrefutable, and public trust must be preserved,” she ruled firmly.
Atuhumurize, who attended court with her family, broke down after the ruling. “I’m glad justice is moving. I just want to heal and work without fear,” she told reporters outside court.
Police spokesperson ACP Rusoke Kituuma assured the public that the force would not protect errant officers. “No one is above the law, not even our own,” he said.
Masked officer who slapped
The once-feared cop is now facing both criminal prosecution and internal disciplinary action, with the DPP hinting at possible new charges depending on the findings of the police tribunal.
The video sparked a storm online, with hashtags #JusticeForPellan and #PoliceAccountability trending nationwide. Memes mocking Nsiima’s earlier brag, “we shall win in court” flooded social media, turning the case into a rallying cry against police impunity.
For many Ugandans, this case is more than just one officer’s downfall; it’s a test of whether the justice system can truly hold police accountable.
