The Uganda Police Force have issued guidelines to protect the lives of top politicians in the country including opposition kingpin, Kizza Besigye.
These were revealed in a press statement issued by police spokesperson, Emilian Kayima on Monday.
Last week, a Facebook user named Titus Seruga revealed that assassins had entered the country and that the lives of top opposition figures were in danger. He mentioned, Kampala City Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kyadondo East lawmaker Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and Kizza Besigye.
Below is the police full statement
Uganda Police Force
Police Information Resource Centre
PRESS STATEMENT
The security situation is calm across the country. We found it very important to interact with the public through media interactions as we often do.
Security threats on the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago
The police received a written notification from the office of the Lord Mayor, Kampala Capital City Authority on Wed 27th, June 2018, Erisas Lukwago stating that there were fears on his life and on the lives of the Rtd. Col. Kizza Besigye as well as Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. The Inspector General of Police indeed received the letter and instructions have been given to all relevant officers to take action. These will include opening a GEF to investigate these death threats, studying and improving the security around the persons mentioned in the letter and closely working with them to ensure that they are all protected.
What to be done;
Appreciating their security and safety needs
Improving their security in terms of deployments
Guiding them on what they need to do to improve personal security and safety
Investigating the claims to avert the crime but also bring to book those that might have the intentions or even those spreading the harmful propaganda. It is therefore my appeal them all to remain calm, avoid fear but keep in touch with security to avert any possible crime.
IGP guidelines on arrests
The IGP has issued fresh reminders to all police personnel on arrests and professional handling of suspects by all police officers.
The guidelines are in conformity with Article 23 of the Constitution, section 2 of the Criminal Procedures Act, and Sections 23-24 of the Police Act, 1994.
The guidelines are:
All arresting officers will take notice of the two types of arrests in our routine operations: (a) arrest without warrant, (b) arrest with warrant.
The arresting officer must satisfy himself/herself that there is reasonable ground to affect the arrest.
A Police Officer effecting arrest must identify himself or herself using his/her warrant card.
The arresting officer must indicate and identify his/her unit
The arresting officer shall inform the person arrested the nature of the offence for which arrest is being affected.
Touch and restrain the person arrested.
Male suspects arrested must be put on handcuff.
Persons arrested must be escorted to the nearest gazetted Police station and should be transferred immediately to the station where the investigation or complaint was reported.
Police officer will not affect an arrest unless a formal complaint has been made. All arrest must be done with full authorization of unit supervisors/commanders.
All suspects arrested by the citizens or sister agencies are rearrested by a Police Officer to whom the suspect has been handed over and all the procedures of suspects’ management must be followed.
Arrests of all female suspects are handled by women Police Officers.
All suspects arrested must be treated humanely and given right of access to communicate with immediate family/lawyers and medical care where injury/injuries have been occasioned during arrests.
N.B unfortunately, many reports in media houses keep coming up with claims of torture by officers. This is not our method of work because it is not only unconstitutional but also defeats justice as any statement obtained as a result of torture cannot be admissible in courts of law. Therefore, whoever has a complaint of having been tortured should register this complaint with the Directorate of Human Rights and Legal Services or at the offices of PSU or alternatively record their complaints to the government Uganda Human Rights Commission for appropriate redress.
Improved security in Kampala Metropolitan Policing Areas
In the recent past, many people in Kampala have complained of criminals that break into their vehicles, steal valuables including phones, jewellery and laptops. The police have stepped operations, improved vigilance and have arrested quite a number of these suspects and arraigned them in court. Last week, a total,a total of 436 suspects were taken to court on various offences including simple robbery, thefts, being in possession of suspected stolen good and many were in possession of illicit drugs in various categories.
The public is advised to keep their door cars and windows locked ,to remain vigilant and avoid boarding cars they don’t know and keep numberplates of vehicles they board. They should equally report cases of criminality to the police for quick appropriate action to be taken. Property marking is equally critical. These operations will continue to rid kampala of crimes and criminals.
SSP Emillian Kayima
Public Relations Officer
Uganda Police Force
July 2nd, 2018
