400 election Police officers trained

Jul 22, 2009

A TOTAL of 416 Police officers have been trained to handle electoral crimes during the 2011 general elections.

By Eddie Ssejjoba

A TOTAL of 416 Police officers have been trained to handle electoral crimes during the 2011 general elections.

The state minister for internal affairs, Matia Kasaija, presided over the passout of the first batch of officers at Kabalye Police Training School in Masindi district on Monday.

The officers included political commissars and detectives.

The minister cautioned the officers against taking sides and urged them to exhibit professionalism, basing their decisions on the law.

“Good election security relies on the neutrality and professionalism of enforcement officers during investigations.

“You must respect the law and not become involved in the campaign or agenda of any political party or candidate,” Kasaija said.

Facilitators at the two-month training included the information minister, Kabakumba Matsiko, the chief of defence forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima and electoral commission chairman, Badru Kiggundu and his staff.

Referring to Kampala MP, Nabillah Ssempala and Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago’s previous fracas with the Police, the minister cautioned the officers to beware of politicians who aim at ‘cheap popularity’ and gaining sympathy from journalists by provoking them.

“Handle people as they come. If they bring commotion, use reasonable force to handle them accordingly. This time we want an election free of chaos,” Kasaija said, adding that some officers were still staining the name of the force.

“I’m tired of defending you in Parliament when MPs bring accusations against you like bribery, arrogance, brutality and poor customer care,” he said.

The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, noting that elections were around the corner, argued that election issues have been a trigger of many problems.

He said the President had briefed the Police against harassment of the opposition and failure to handle electoral offences.

The Police chief promised that the 2011 elections would be smooth.

“Your mission is to defend the political stability of this country through exhibiting high ethical values,” Kayihura said.

He added that each Police station would have a desk to handle election related matters and issues of corruption in the districts.

Kayihura apologised over the land eviction saga in Nateete, a Kampala suburb, that forced the President to intervene.

He blamed the incident on the negligence of his field commanders and the force’s legal department.

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