EARLIER: Police use metal-cutting saw to get into Kirumira's house shortly before he stepped out. #NTVNews

Mr Kirumira was the head of police for Buyende district, in the eastern part of the country, before he resigned last week. He spoke to journalists before police gained entry to his house, saying that he was being harassed and explaining that he was wearing the police uniform because he was due to attend a court hearing:

Everybody should say no to harassing Afande Kirumira- Former Buyende district police commander Muhammad Kirumira says shortly before police broke into his house to get him out. #NTVNews

Mr Kirumira was called before a police tribunal last week on charges of alleged torture, extortion, corruption, bribery, unlawful arrests and excessive use of authority. He denied the charges and quit his job but the police refused to accept his resignation. He protested his arrest, saying: "You said you don't want me and I have decided to quit police. What do you want from me?"

Mr Kirumira is known to be popular with the public, earning the nickname "the spirit of the nation". He is known to use Facebook to criticise his colleagues saying they are to blame for some of the criminal activities in the country.