KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has confirmed that Military Police (MP) are now part of the traffic and road safety enforcement team inside the Uganda Police.
This is after pictures of military officers clad in jackets with the wording “MILITARY POLICE” and “TRAFFIC” underneath, were posted on social media, attracting some public concerns.
The Deputy Spokesperson of the army, Col Deo Akiiki yesterday confirmed the development and deployment of the UPDF offices on the roads is to support traffic officers against errant drivers and indiscipline soldiers.
“..mostly the work of these guys is to support police eliminate those who drive and pretend to be military with UPDF jackets and uniforms in their cars,” Col. Deo Akiiki said.
According to him, the presence of MP traffic officers is “also not to allow us in UPDF behave funny while in the road simply because we are UPDF”. “Also take note, thugs in UPDF uniforms have at some point put roadblocks only to rob Wanainchi,” he said.
He revealed that so far about 50 military jackets have been confiscated from the operation which is about a week now in existence. “They (MP) know but are also cognizant of the restrictions of the military,” the Deputy Defense spokesperson said.
On deployment, Akiiki could not be able to give out the numbers of MP traffic officers currently supporting the Police.
While on the disciplines of the officers, he stated that “…some of our own who have been on the road wrongly or in breach of our code of conduct have been apprehended for possible trial at our courts”.
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