POLICE | TERRORISM | SECURITY

KAMPALA - I have two messages for the people of Uganda. One, let them feel comfortable and trust the Uganda Police Force that it is going to keep them and their property secured. 

Secondly, we are telling any lawbreaker who might try to think that the police are not able to handle any situation from terrorism, robbery, murder, or riots in the cities, that if they try it, they will test our capability. 

Katsigazi said he was sure law-abiding Ugandans were happy with the police performance. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

In short, we are able to handle any situation and protect the people of this republic and their property. 

These were remarks of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Major General Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigazi after watching what he termed as an impressive and high-level drill by men and women from the police Field Force Unit, Anti-riot and Counter-Terrorism at Kigo Shooting Range on the shores of Lake Victoria, March 27, 2023.

Some of the Police's new equipment vehicles that the Deputy Inspector General of Police Katsigazi unveiled.

The personnel were also able to test part of the newly acquired brand-new combat equipment including 15 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and 50 Riot Control Vehicles (RCV) that include teargas and water cannons. 

Katsigazi unveiled the equipment on Thursday last week at the Police headquarters in Naguru and said part of them were dispatched to Somalia, Karamoja and the rest would be used to deal with civil disobedience including handling riots in cities.

Katsigazi said part of the equipment was to be dispatched to Somalia, Karamoja and the rest would be used to deal with civil disobedience including handling riots in cities.

On the same day, the drills were carried out, the Police spokesman, Fred Enanga warned that a group of opposition politicians had declared that they would soon stage demonstrations in Kampala and other cities protesting the high cost of living, illegal arrests and other issues.

He, however, said the demonstrations were illegal and that the police would not allow them to take place.

Police officers undergo through a high-level drill.

Katsigazi, however, said the force still needed to recruit at least 5,000 personnel every year for a period of five years to boost the numbers in the field.

“We are still at 1:900 ratio of police to people against the international standard of 1:500, we therefore still have more manpower,” he said, adding that even the available capacity was good enough to handle volatile situations mainly in counter-terrorism and city riots.

Katsigazi unveiled the equipment on Thursday last week at the Police headquarters in Naguru.

He also pledged that the personnel would get more training locally and abroad to enhance their skills. The drills included handling volatile riots, countering terrorists, and using canines to detect suspected bombs and other crimes.

Katsigazi said he was sure law-abiding Ugandans were happy with the police performance. 

Police test some of their new equipment.

"Am extremely happy and short of words for this exercise, our personnel have exhibited high skills, no wonder Uganda emerged best in the recent shooting range competition in Rwanda," he said.

He said the purpose of the exercise was to test the police energy. “I am sure people watching what you are doing are encouraged but there are other elements who discredit you and for them, we say stand warned, whoever wants to dare the police can see this as an example,’ he said.

Katsigazi said the force still needed to recruit at least 5,000 personnel every year for a period of five years to boost the numbers in the field.

The function was attended by the undersecretary Uganda Police Force, Aggrey Wunyi, director counter-terrorism Abbas Byakagaba, and Commander Kampala Metropolitan Police Stephen Tanui, among others.

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Police officers train their shooting skills. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

Police officers undergo training on how to handle riots.

Police's Field Force Unit

Officers get ready for a shooting rage training.

The Anti-riot Police.

Police officers undergoing heavy drills.

Katsigazi was accompanied by the undersecretary Uganda Police Force, Aggrey Wunyi, director counter-terrorism Abbas Byakagaba, and Commander Kampala Metropolitan Police Stephen Tanui, among others.

Katsigazi said the purpose of the exercise was to test the police energy.

Police officers demonstrate how they ought to handle causalities.

Some of the Police's new equipment