Rights body calls for special Police for rioters

Apr 28, 2012

The U.H.R.C. has asked the Police to establish a special force to handle public demos.

By Justus Akampa

THE Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has asked the Police to establish a special public order management force to handle public demonstrations.

Addressing the press at the commission headquarters, acting chairperson Amooti Katebalirwe said there is need for a specialised unit in the Police for effective and professional execution of duties.

Katabalirwe was responding to the recent incident in the city during which a security operative allegedly touched the breats of opposition activist, Ingrid Turinawe in an attempt to arrest her.

He noted that the proposal did not imply that the current force was incompetent, but that the Police needed to specialized its performance, particularly in handling civil actions.

Katabalirwe strongly condemned the Police’s use of excessive force during the arrest of the FDC woman leader.

He called upon police to expeditiously investigate the matter and take punitive action against the errant officer or officers as a deterrent measure.

The UHRC acting chairperson also warned some politicians and some sections from public who have “made it a habit to provoke the Police, even when the force has tried to remain calm.”

He cited an example of people who resist arrest, throw stones, hurle insults and express obscenities at the Police, as such events have triggered violence.

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