End Arrests Tumukunde Orders ISO
Sep 09, 2002
THE Director General of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), Brig. Henry Tumukunde, has said ISO operatives have no power to arrest suspects.
By John Kakande
and Ben Mugisha
THE Director General of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), Brig. Henry Tumukunde, has said ISO operatives have no power to arrest suspects.
In a statement late last evening, Tumukunde said members of the public should resist any arrest “where one cannot identify himself as an official from the Police.â€
He warned government officials to guard against people who purport to be from the ISO economic desk demanding documents and files.
He said the officials should not surrender any document to anyone, except where the ISO Director General has specifically written to them asking for the documents.
The statement reads in full:
The Director General, ISO, has issued a statement to guide the general public on the increasing complaints about illegal arrests, torture and detention by some people pretending to be ISO operatives.
The ISO boss explained that he has been receiving complaints that people calling themselves ISO operatives have been arresting innocent people holding them incommunicado and extorting money from them especially in the districts of Kampala, Mbale, Masaka, Iganga, Kumi, Soroti and Mbarara.
The Director General is guiding the public that powers of arrest lie with the Police.
Even when the complaint is with ISO, they must inform the Police to effect arrest.
Brig. Tumukunde advises the public to resist any arrest where one cannot identify himself as an official from the Police and in case the arresting parties insist, the victim should also insist that the matter be registered with the nearest Police station.
On extortion, the DG informs the public that no officer of ISO is allowed to collect any form of money from the public. Neither do ISO officers arbitrate between suspects and the State or suspects and complainants.
Brig. Tumukunde explained that ISO is open to the public and due to these unfortunate persistent complaints, he will open up a public complaints desk whose contact shall be communicated to the public soon.
In the meantime, he advises the public to use the nearest DISO (District Internal Security Office) office, or the Police.
I have also been getting complaints about people from economic desk of ISO.
These people ask for documents and files from public officers.
ISO is not a Police force and therefore can only conduct their business covertly. Any overt acts are a preserve of the Police. However, when extremely necessary, the DG will write a letter signed by him on headed paper seeking that a particular document on a subject be produced for purposes of investigation.
Where you are not sure, insist on calling our headquarter or the complaints’ desk when it is set.
Civilians who act or behave as security officers of ISO or any other force should be reported to the nearest ISO office.
You cannot become a captain in a week even when evaluated as a genius of exceptional competence and brains.
Signed
H. Tumukunde (Brig)
DIRECTOR GENERAL ISO
Ends
and Ben Mugisha
THE Director General of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), Brig. Henry Tumukunde, has said ISO operatives have no power to arrest suspects.
In a statement late last evening, Tumukunde said members of the public should resist any arrest “where one cannot identify himself as an official from the Police.â€
He warned government officials to guard against people who purport to be from the ISO economic desk demanding documents and files.
He said the officials should not surrender any document to anyone, except where the ISO Director General has specifically written to them asking for the documents.
The statement reads in full:
The Director General, ISO, has issued a statement to guide the general public on the increasing complaints about illegal arrests, torture and detention by some people pretending to be ISO operatives.
The ISO boss explained that he has been receiving complaints that people calling themselves ISO operatives have been arresting innocent people holding them incommunicado and extorting money from them especially in the districts of Kampala, Mbale, Masaka, Iganga, Kumi, Soroti and Mbarara.
The Director General is guiding the public that powers of arrest lie with the Police.
Even when the complaint is with ISO, they must inform the Police to effect arrest.
Brig. Tumukunde advises the public to resist any arrest where one cannot identify himself as an official from the Police and in case the arresting parties insist, the victim should also insist that the matter be registered with the nearest Police station.
On extortion, the DG informs the public that no officer of ISO is allowed to collect any form of money from the public. Neither do ISO officers arbitrate between suspects and the State or suspects and complainants.
Brig. Tumukunde explained that ISO is open to the public and due to these unfortunate persistent complaints, he will open up a public complaints desk whose contact shall be communicated to the public soon.
In the meantime, he advises the public to use the nearest DISO (District Internal Security Office) office, or the Police.
I have also been getting complaints about people from economic desk of ISO.
These people ask for documents and files from public officers.
ISO is not a Police force and therefore can only conduct their business covertly. Any overt acts are a preserve of the Police. However, when extremely necessary, the DG will write a letter signed by him on headed paper seeking that a particular document on a subject be produced for purposes of investigation.
Where you are not sure, insist on calling our headquarter or the complaints’ desk when it is set.
Civilians who act or behave as security officers of ISO or any other force should be reported to the nearest ISO office.
You cannot become a captain in a week even when evaluated as a genius of exceptional competence and brains.
Signed
H. Tumukunde (Brig)
DIRECTOR GENERAL ISO
Ends