Use force if attacked – Deputy IGP directs police commanders

KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigazi has directed all station commanders to use force whenever they encounter threats from armed thugs. 

The Deputy IGP’s directives come in response to recent attacks on police stations by unidentified assailants in various parts of the country who kill policemen on duty and steal their guns. 

“There are some armed thugs who have decided to attack police stations. We have lost some police officers and guns but at the end of it all now we have turned guns against them, we are strengthening security at all police stations to avoid such attacks,” Gen. Katsigazi said. 

Gen Katsigazi was Friday speaking to a group of 294 station commanders whom he passed out after completing a four months course in station command and senior non-commissioned officers course at Kayabwe Police training school in Masindi district on Friday, December 16, 2022.  

The deputy IGP advised the fresh commanders to beef up security at their stations of command, so as to make it difficult for any enemy who attempts to attack police stations. 

A total number of 294 police officers, 163 station commanders and 131 sergeants have today, 16th December 2022 completed a four months course in statin command and senior non-commissioned officers course at Police Training School, Kabalye in Masindi.

The new commanders will be appointed and immediately deployed to different police stations in different policing regions across the country. 

In a related development, the police spokesperson Fred Enanga earlier this week informed the public that they have increased its patrols, visibility and other security interventions, which will run through Christmas and into the New Year to ensure the country remains safe to live in, work and celebrate the holiday. 

“As we go into holidays, the public should not be alarmed by the increased presence of police and military personnel on routine patrol. They are there to protect residents, shoppers and businesses,” Enanga said, adding that “There is already significant work by officers policing the rural areas.”