Internal Affairs Report Reveals Police Personnel Instigated Some Attacks on Posts

A report by the State Minister for Internal Affairs, David Muhoozi, presented to Parliament on Wednesday 30, November 2022, has shown that 12 cases of attacks on police posts have been registered and at least 16 guns stolen.

The report also reveals that despite some attacks being the handy work of unknown assailants, others were carried out by persons within the police force.

This development has raised concern among members of parliament over circumstances that led police personnel to indulge in such crime.

The MPs now want the Ministry to analyse the circumstances and device means to an end.

The Legislators claim struggling veterans within the force, earning meager pay could likely indulge in such acts.

Rosemary Nyakikongoro (NRM, Sheema district) says the distressed veterans could choose retaliation by conducting such crimes.

“Veterans are disgruntled people, they have grudges, they are struggling, we don’t have a specific program for them, they are the people that have touched the gun and can steal guns from police forces,” said  Nyakikongoro

Hon. Eddie Kwizera Wa-Gahungu (NRM, Bukimbiri County), asked the internal affairs ministry to review the remuneration package for veterans.

Hon. Joseph Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu West), told the house during plenary that some officers are always drunk on duty, neglect work and are lazy.

“Some of the police officers are lazy, some drink from morning to evening, maybe that’s why assailants take advantage of them,” said Ssewungu.

He proposed training for those who have been in the force for long saying they lack the competence to deal with the emerging security issues.

Ssewungu reechoed his earlier plea for the ministry to reconsider the merging of police posts.

“There are those that were far from the main police station at the district, merging of such posts is unfair,” said Ssewungu.

Muhoozi however said the mergers were intended to strengthen the efficiency of small posts by merging them with bigger ones.

“Merging vulnerable smaller police posts and booths into sizeable units was to improve operational efficiency and force protection,” he said.

He said there has been a re-organization of operations of the force in order to prevent any future attacks on the force.

“There is better organization of security installations; access controls, front desk staff and invisible reaction groups/persons have been re-designated,” Muhoozi said.

Muhoozi further said that a team of senior officers headed by deputy inspector general of police has traversed the affected police regions to re access security vigilance and alertness on duty.

Some of the affected police posts include, Busiika which was attacked and set ablaze on 31 October 2022; three officers were killed and two guns were stolen. Others include, Wakiso new market post, Busunju post, Kyanja Kensington, Buwama town and Nakulabye police posts.
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