Kayihura directs on guns

Sep 26, 2011

POLICE Chief Kale Kayihura has directed Police and security officers not to go to bars with firearms.

By Steven Candia

POLICE Chief Kale Kayihura has directed Police and security officers not to go to bars with firearms.

Kayihura issued the directive last week in Kyenjojo and Kyegegwa districts during his tour of the Western region.

He asked the public to arrest any Police Officer who defies the directive.

The warning came after a Special Police Constable shot and killed two men, in a feud over a woman.

Last week, James Mugume, attached to Kyenjojo Police Station, shot Robert Amanyire and Isaiah Mugume, at a bar in Kyenjojo town council.

“No Policeman or Security Officer should go to the bar with a fireman. I do not want to hear about that any more. From today, should you come across an armed Policeman in a bar, arrest him,” Kayihura said, drawing cheers from residents.

He however, cautioned residents against mob justice.

“Your powers to arrest are provided for in the constitution but if after arrest, make sure you take the officer to a Police Station. But if you do any thing more than that, you will have committed an offence,” he warned.

Kayihura also held a security meeting in Kyegegwa district and met members of a family members that lost relatives in a land recently.

He assured the bereaved families of Police protection.

The meetings were attended by the Western Police boss, Wilson Kwanya, and the criminal investigations boss, Jackson Tumwiine. At Kyenjojo.

He handed over a police sniffer dog and a brand new Police patrol car, to boost security and investigations in the district.

He however, warned against police asking for any money for dog service. “Police dog service is free. No one should ask for any money not even for fuel for transporting the dog,” he said drawing cheers.

Some of the community meetings turned dramatic as some Police Officers were put to task to explain claims over mismanagement of cases.

The Police Chief said he would send a team of detectives to the region to investigate the allegations.

“The team will be here on Monday,” he said. Kayihura also called for a screening exercise for all SPC’s.

“They must be screened. Do this in presence of the local council officials and whoever is not fit, terminate their services,” he said.

The Uganda Police Act provides that a Police Officer who behaves in a cruel,disgarceful, indescent or unnatural manner commits an offence and is liable on conviction to to reduction in rank or dismissal.

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