Police can take on military functions - Muzeyi

PIC: Deputy Inspector General of Police Brig. Sabiiti Muzeyi. (Credit: Roderick Ahimbazwe)

POLICE | TRAINING 

WAKISO - The Police force should at all times be ready to perform functions of a military force as guided by the Police Act, the deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP), Brig. Steven Sabiiti Muzeyi has said.

"About this debate on ‘militarisation of police', the country needs to know that the policing environment has changed overtime. It encompasses violent criminals in local societies, organised and transnational crimes where police has to respond as the first line of defense in national security," Muzeyi said.

According to clause 4 of the Police Act of 1994 (1) Subject to the Constitution and this Act, the functions of the force are—to protect the life, property and other rights of the individual.

Other functions are to maintain security within Uganda; to enforce the laws of Uganda; ensure public safety and order; prevent and detect crime in the society; subject to section 9. There is also performing the services of a military force as well as performing any other functions assigned to it under this Act.

Presiding over the closure of Kampala Metropolitan Police Basic Management (3rd intake) at Kigo Marine Base in Wakiso district over the weekend, Muzeyi's first public function since he took over office last week, he cautioned the Police officers on healthy living and weapon management.

Gen. Kale Kayihura, the longest serving IGP in Uganda's history, was asked to step down. He was replaced with Okoth Ochola, who is deputised by Muzeyi.

Muzeyi, 44, a former head of military Police was appointed last year following his stint as deputy Commander of Special Forces.

The course derives its origin from the police council resolution requiring all directorates, departments and regions to conduct regular internal capacity building programmes for personnels and to embrace the idea of internal trainings.

Among the major issues addressed in this course are fitness, time management, discipline, teamwork, response to emergency calls and attitude towards work. Others were the working relationship between juniors and their commanders, mental preparedness and operational mistakes committed overtime such as shooting innocent citizens due to stray bullets.

Muzeyi advised officers to endure and remain healthy, especially in the current waves of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B in order to serve longer in the force and to provide support to their families.

He thanked the spouses for the endurance and support throughout the training. Muzeyi urged trainees to use the skills in a manner that builds the image and mandate of the Uganda Police Force.

One of the critical requirements in professionalising the force is capacity building so as to equip officers and men with necessary skills to handle the contemporary policing demands.

He implored the Regional Police Commander for Greater Masaka to increase the number of trainees in the upcoming subsequent intakes.

Muzeyi reminded the officers of a famous quote by Edmund Burke that says ‘evil exists when good men do nothing.'

He hailed the Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander CP. Frank Mwesigwa and team for the wise initiative.

"A man of value does not run away from responsibility, and the responsibility of an officer is to protect life and property of Ugandans," Muzeyi said.