Why can't the Police keep accident wrecks away from Police Stations?

By Dennis Katungi 

First, I commend the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the good work done within the Force during his tenure.  He has indeed made a positive impact on the Force.

I write with concern about the state of affairs as well as the environment around our Police Stations.

Generally, all main Police Stations in Uganda that have some space around them are littered with accident wrecks! It has always been the tradition within Uganda Police Force that accident vehicles are towed to the nearest Police Station.  That practice is archaic, outdated and not good practice in the 21^st Century.  It makes Uganda’s Police Stations look like bombed out Beirut Barracks during the civil war in 1983.

What do other Police Forces do with accident wrecks in other countries?  In Britain for example, accident wrecks are never taken to any Police Stations.  Investigations surrounding the accident are done on the scene of the accident.  You will see Police accident investigating officers with tape measure, cameras and other gadgets combing the site of an accident.  All evidence is gathered on scene, including pictures that could be used in Court or Insurance claims.  The wreck becomes the responsibility of the car owner, his/her agent or Insurance Company after Police has gathered sufficient evidence and cleared the wreck to be removed, normally on the day of the accident.

In the event where Police has to retain accident wrecks, for example, when the vehicle is un-insured or has been used by criminals, such wrecks are towed to designated Car Parking Spaces controlled by Police, but not at Police Stations. 

They are known as car-pounds.  These are spaces away from the Central Business District in locations like our Nalukolongo or Namanve Industrial Park, where the Police Force can apply for designated areas for such activity.

I gather that the Prisons and Police Forces are among the biggest land owners in Uganda, one wonders why there should be idle and dis-used land when there is such an acute need for it.  It is not costly to fence off a few acres of Police or Prisons Land for such purpose.  It is a shame that a Police Station like CPS, next to City Square in the central business area is not spared storing such wrecks which are an eye sore.

Please note that I confine this constructive criticism on the general environment around Police Stations and not the buildings and other infrastructure which are themselves in a sorry state.  I understand the dynamics of State funding for such infrastructure may not be entirely in the IGP’s hands.  But, as a revolutionary leader that you are within the Police Force, I believe it is within your purview to make some changes that do not require enormous resources but ‘thinking outside the box’.

One person said that show me a man’s homestead and I will tell you the kind of person he is. I look forward to seeing a clean and healthy environment around Police Stations in Uganda. 

dkatungi@ugandamediacentre.go.ug