Mityana bishop asks security forces to act with restraint

2021 ELECTIONS | SECURITY FORCES 

The chairperson of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Bishop Joseph Antony Zziwa, has condemned the violence that has started claiming lives, urging security agents to be extra careful.

He said the security forces should be fair and careful while handling people.

"The Police and the army must improve on the way they operate and clean their image, which is already tarnished before the public," he said.

Zziwa, the bishop of Kiyinda Mityana Diocese, was speaking during the diocesan day celebrations at Kiyinda Cathedral on Sunday (November 22, 2020).

Citing the victims who were killed by stray bullets, Zziwa said security agents must always be extra careful so that they just defend the residents.

His message comes weeks after he sounded a warning against violence during elections.

During the National Resistance Movement party primary elections, Zziwa noted with concern the violence that was exhibited and asked that the Electoral Commission and government to ensure that no similar acts happen in the general election next year.

Addressing the congregation on Sunday, the bishop urged security officers to treat Ugandans fairly as they enforce the law.

"Many countries earn a lot from tourism and when the lockdown was eased, tourists were allowed to come in, which means that we also earn from tourism.

However, it will be hard for a tourist to come and see blood being shed and bodies," he said.

Speaking at the same ceremony, the Bishop of Mityana Anglican Diocese, Dr James Bukomeko, asked the Government to ensure that people are not killed again.

"Losing this number of people will not only affect the victims and relatives, but also the nation at large and, therefore, it must stop," Bukomeko said.

In the riots that took place last week, after the arrest of presidential candidates Robert Kyagulanyi and Patrick Amuriat, about 50 people were reportedly killed as security quelled the riots.

Kyagulanyi and Amuriat have since been released and are back on the campaign trail.