POLICE

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Despite the various policing difficulties throughout the year, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Martin Okoth Ochola says the country has made successes in combating crime.

He cited the horrific attack on Lhubirira Secondary School in Mpodwe, Kasese district, where 44 people, including 37 students, were shot and burnt to death by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), and the Freedom City New Year concert stampede in which approximately 10 people among the unforgettable scenes of the year, among others.

He stressed that despite the various challenges, the Police and sister security agencies of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), Prisons, Special Forces Command (SFC), Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), Internal Security Organisations (ISO), External Security Organisation (ESO), Crime Intelligence (CI) and the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT) and others, carried out specific and joint special operations, which made the country, one of the safest countries on the continent.

“To a great extent, we reduced gun-related crimes and the proliferation of illegal firearms and ammunition, terrorism, gang and marine crimes, housebreaking, burglaries, acid attacks, motor vehicle thefts, cattle raids within Karamoja and the neighbouring districts, and many other traditional crimes,” he added.

Ochola attributes the success to the hard work of the Police in co-ordination with sister security agencies, the reorganisation of the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), improved detection and investigation, a robust crime intelligence directorate that has built a proactive network of credible informants and strategic partnerships with the community, including the ghetto youth, and other intelligence components to disrupt and dismantle criminals.

Ochola made the remarks as he delivered his Christmas message Friday, December 22, 2023, at the Police headquarters in Naguru, Nakawa division in Kampala.

He mentioned other recent initiatives, such as the creation of more visible tactical and operational teams, motorcycle squad expansions, community policing efforts, forensic science, more use of technology, and the hiring of 2500 more police personnel.

Securing notable convictions

Ochola noted the increased level of co-operation with the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS), the Judiciary, and other partners under the criminal justice system, the Anti-Human Trafficking bodies, and all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), which he says has helped to secure notable convictions on court cases of child sacrifice, human trafficking, violent murders like in the Maria Nagirinya case, and that of the serial women killer, where the convicts are now facing lengthy prison sentences.

He cited another significant breakthrough in the case of the late State Prosecutor Joan Kagezi, after eight years, the suspects were charged in court.

Sub-county policing model

The Police also managed to implement the sub-county policing model in Greater Masaka, the establishment of call response centres at 20 sub-county Police stations in Aswa, East Kyoga, and Mt Moroto, policing regions, to help enhance crime reporting mechanisms, an increased presence and functionality of the Police in Karamoja, through the construction of seven community Police stations at Lokori in Karenga, Nakapelimoru in Kotido, Morulem in Abim, Nakiloro in Moroto, Alakas in Amudat, Namalu in Nakapiripirit, and Apeitolum in Napak.

This year, Ochola also commissioned the commencement for the construction of the Police headquarters complex at Naguru, two district police stations at Bukomansimbi, and Lwengo, and 24 apartment blocks at Kiira division, Entebbe and Jinja.

He said that by operationalising disciplinary courts in every region of the nation, they have also improved force discipline and respect to human rights.

As a result, they have been able to look into 794 of the 933 complaints of police abuse of human rights.

They also expanded the K9 unit and established its services in eight districts of Karenga, Moroto, Nabilatuk, Kumi, Buliisa, Luuka, Bukedea, Katakwi, Kaabong, and Napak.

Police 2024 goals

Ochola emphasized that the force intends to enhance case management systems through the Electronic Police Information System (ePIS) project, an integrated digital platform for managing police services, establish an online complaints management system at the Professional Standards Unit, and make extensive use of technology.

He mentioned that the force is creating its doctrine following national and international standards, adopting paperless transactions by utilising ICT systems in each of the 29 policing regions, maintaining constant coordination and collaboration with other important stakeholders to minimize redundancies, and hiring and educating officers in accordance with modern policing requirements.