We won't be provoked into killing people - Museveni
Oct 03, 2016
In the wake of the highly contested presidential polls in 2011, Police a number of politicians in confrontations over the Walk to Work protests
President Yoweri Museveni speaks during the commemoration of the Police Day at Kololo Independence Grounds. Photo by Roderick Ahimbazwe
President Yoweri Museveni has extolled the Uganda Police Force for working in extremely challenging circumstances and diffusing potentially volatile situations using what he described as "soft power."
Officiating at the National Police Day earlier today, Museveni accused some "elements" of trying to lure government into unleashing deadly force on Ugandans through fomenting trouble in different parts of the country. The National Police Day is designated for every 3rd of October.
"You remember we have been through times when some elements have been trying to cause trouble in the country hoping that we will kill people by unleashing hard power (army). But through using soft power like tear gas, police has been able to contain them," Museveni said.
"They thought we would kill people, no, that will never happen. A Police dog can take you down, but it will not kill you," Museveni said in reference to the Police canine department which had earlier enthralled the audience at Kololo Independence Grounds.
In the wake of the highly contested presidential polls in 2011, Police engaged Dr. Kizza Besigye and a number of politicians in confrontations over the Walk to Work protests.
Government accused Besigye of trying to use the spike in the cost of living to foment trouble akin to that which was spreading across the Arab world that saw long serving rulers in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Yemen ousted.
President Museveni (R) and Deputy Inspector General of Police Okoth Ochola the salute as the National Anthem is sang during the celebrations. Photo by Roderick Ahimbazwe
While gracing festivities to mark 100 years of Police in 2014, Museveni acceded to a request to mark 3rd October National Police Day to celebrate an institution that protects Ugandans and their property in challenging circumstances.
This year's National Police Day was celebrated under the theme of ‘Fostering Community Policing and Building Bridges between Police and the Public’.