Police, UPDF enjoy cordial relations
Nov 06, 2006
SIR — I wish to respond to the article “Police are now law breakers,†published by <i>the Red pepper</i> on November 3.<br><br>
SIR — I wish to respond to the article “Police are now law breakers,†published by the Red pepper on November 3.
It is unfortunate that the writer with full knowledge and authority of the editor had to write in the manner in which he did even after both the Police and the UPDF spokesperson had treated this unfortunate incident as a clear case of indiscipline.
The UPDF spokesperson’s press release of November 1 is very clear on issues of
maligning the two sister institutions. In any case, PC Ahimbisibwe Yeko was charged in court with the murder of Captain Naboth Mugume on November 1. For the Red pepper to insinuate that all Police officers are thugs disguised in Police uniform is far-fetched and has far- reaching repercussions for
the men and women who sometimes have to work under very difficult
conditions.
However, this is not to say that there are no indisciplined officers in the Uganda Police Force. Those
who are there are dealt with firmly. When one parent defiles his own daughter, not all parents can be called defilers. The Uganda Police is not meant to cause disorder but to maintain law and order.
The institution therefore does not condone any of its personnel contravening the law. being a Police officer does not put anyone above the law. The relationship between the police and the UPDF is cordial. We have been carrying out joint training, operations, sporting activities and political education programmes. Nonetheless the demise of captain Mugume is lamentable.
Edward Ochom
Commissioner of Police
Public Relations Officer
It is unfortunate that the writer with full knowledge and authority of the editor had to write in the manner in which he did even after both the Police and the UPDF spokesperson had treated this unfortunate incident as a clear case of indiscipline.
The UPDF spokesperson’s press release of November 1 is very clear on issues of
maligning the two sister institutions. In any case, PC Ahimbisibwe Yeko was charged in court with the murder of Captain Naboth Mugume on November 1. For the Red pepper to insinuate that all Police officers are thugs disguised in Police uniform is far-fetched and has far- reaching repercussions for
the men and women who sometimes have to work under very difficult
conditions.
However, this is not to say that there are no indisciplined officers in the Uganda Police Force. Those
who are there are dealt with firmly. When one parent defiles his own daughter, not all parents can be called defilers. The Uganda Police is not meant to cause disorder but to maintain law and order.
The institution therefore does not condone any of its personnel contravening the law. being a Police officer does not put anyone above the law. The relationship between the police and the UPDF is cordial. We have been carrying out joint training, operations, sporting activities and political education programmes. Nonetheless the demise of captain Mugume is lamentable.
Edward Ochom
Commissioner of Police
Public Relations Officer