The Police are not partisan when on duty

Jun 21, 2010

AT such a time when political activities are fast gaining momentum, as the Police, we feel it is important to guide the public on how we can co-exist.

AT such a time when political activities are fast gaining momentum, as the Police, we feel it is important to guide the public on how we can co-exist.

And I would also love to use this chance to clear the misinformation that is particularly engineered by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), that the Police are partisan.

I must reiterate that the Police will not look on as other people’s freedom is trampled upon by a handful of people in the guise of political activism.

Ugandans whose lives and property we vowed to protect, should remember that much as the Constitution provides for freedom of speech and assembly, those freedoms are not absolute.

This is where the Police comes in. We have informed the public that whenever a party wants to organise a demonstration, it should inform us.

Interestingly, when FDC faced off with Betty Kamya’s demonstration group, the first people they contacted for protection were the Police.

If FDC realised then that they needed the Police to stop Kamya’s group, why don’t they want the same Police to accord protection to other people?

Members of the public should never fall prey to the double standards exercised by members of the opposition.

It is, therefore, not surprising to find vigilant people who are tired of losing both lives and property engaging them.

I hasten to add that although the Police do not condone the Kiboko men commonly known as Kiboko Squad, it is quite understandable that they are fed up of the riotous groups that have caused them pain.

And it is here that I would like to emphasise what the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Gen. Kale Kayihura, said. The Kiboko Squad is not known to the Police, but we are investigating them.

We are very much aware of the plans by the opposition to disrupt business, particularly in the central business district.

Take the court fracas for example. The sheer behaviour and abuse of people’s freedom by the IPC women was unprecedented.

From the beginning of the court session, the IPC women (mostly bought for a mere sh5,000) pulled out their placards and started waving them.

Even more appalling is child abuse that flourished among the demonstrators. An innocent child was forced to participate in the demo by his mother. We are investigating and we will get to the bottom of the matter.

This is unacceptable because it is contempt of court. Surely does the leadership of IPC want Police to look on as crimes are committed?

It is disheartening to note that the very courts they are disrespecting are the ones they run to for legal redress, especially after elections.

No one is above the law, and as a civil force we shall ensure that the sanctity of the institutions is not abused.

It is in good faith that we ask people to seek Police permission whenever an event is being organised. Musicians and Cultural Leaders do it, what makes the opposition special?

The unfortunate event that got FDC leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye, and a group of his supporters at the Railways Gardens on Jinja Road beaten would have been avoided if proper channels had been followed.

He had not informed the railways authorities or the Uganda Police in advance as is required by law. Such an activity requires Police supervision, especially in Kampala Central business division where acts by thugs in the guise of ‘demonstrators’ have frequently occurred in the past.

We thank members of the public for their continued support and re-affirm our commitment to discharge our duties as mandated by the Constitution.

The writer is the spokesperson of the Uganda Police.

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