The Uganda Police Force has kicked started yet another huge project, a brain child of President Yoweri Museveni dubbed the National CCTV project.
According to a statement issued by SSP Emilian Kayima, the Uganda Police Force Public Relations Officer on Monday, in October 2018, construction of the National Command Center is expected to kick off at Naguru, Police Headquarters.
It will be an ultra modern facility that will house all security agencies with the Uganda Police being in lead.
“This facility will also have the Automated Finger Print Information System (AFIS), which other people refer to as Automated Biometric Information System (ABIS). All these will help to capture important data from all suspected criminals. It will go a long way to fight and defeat criminals,” the statement reads in part.
It adds: “In Kikandwa, located in Kakiri Division, Wakiso District where we have a strategic piece of land, we shall build an ICT research center. We look forward to build a robust team of ICT experts in the near future. With these initiatives, crime record management systems will greatly improve.
This is a national project spear headed by the Uganda Police Force meant to greatly improve security by enhancing police capabilities to further fight crime. The program to build this robust CCTV project started on 16th, July 2018 and it is anticipated to cover the entire Kampala Metropolitan Area, Major town and cities, municipalities and High Ways.”
On July 16th, Police started with laying of the fiber in Kampala Metropolitan and so far we have covered 20 kilometers out of the planned 1300 Kilometers.
“We shall have in total 5552 cameras countrywide, with Kampala Metropolitan taking the lion’s share of 3233 cameras on 1248 camera sites,” Kayima said.
In other towns and cities, municipalities and high ways, he said, Police shall make excellent use of the existing National Back Borne Infrastructure done by the National Information Technology Authority NITA (U). Use of wireless technologies in many of our municipalities is another option we shall exploit to the best and we can ably promise better services.
“The first phase is expected to be completed in July 2019 which will include; networking all stations in the country, construction of the National Command center, installation of the 3233 cameras in Kampala Metropolitan area and coverage of the 18 police divisions and 80 police stations in Kampala Metropolitan area,” he said.
He noted that the presence and use of CCTV helps a great deal in early detection and deterrence of crime. CCTV itself wards off potential criminal elements in many respects.
“It will enhance the police capabilities in as far investigation, apprehending the right suspects and prosecuting them in courts of law is concerned.
It will greatly improve traffic management across the country. It translates into having smaller but more effective numbers of traffic officers on the road and it cuts down on complaints that emanate from corrupt tendencies,” he said of the benefits of CCTV Cameras.
“We therefore call upon all our partners especially the citizens to own it and support the cause. They should avoid vandalizing these great assets as it has happened with other national assets. We trust that citizens will fully give us their backing and protect these assets,” he added.
