Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP) has responded to President Yoweri Museveni’s order to come up with plans that will defeat criminal gangs in Kampala Metropolitan area.
Addressing the press yesterday, Sabiiti said the detailed plan shall be given to the implementers i.e. the Joint security apparatus, but gave some pointers to the public.
“The KMP area is going to be divided into policing zones or
security constituencies for each station or post, with attendant published call
lines, reaction forces and linkage to all stations and posts as well as
cameras, when there is a distress call. Other enablers include:
Registration and marking of streets and residences to enhance quick response lighting
of streets and or individual premises or residences where affordable,” Sabiiti
said.
Below
is his full statement;
Regards from the Uganda Police and the entire Security fraternity. As earlier
communicated by His Excellency the President and Commander in chief, I take
this opportunity to relay our reviewed security plan to tackle the current wave
of violent crime, especially in the KMP policing area- that is- Kampala,
Mukono, Wakiso, Entebbe as well as other areas where it manifests. The detailed
plan shall be given to the implementers i.e. the Joint security apparatus. What
we shall share with the public is the following:
[Background]
This reviewed plan sits within the 12 wider measures announced last year by the
President. I want to report that a lot of strides have been made in this
regard, including the aspects of installation of cameras, finger printing of
fire arms, improving the police Forensics capacity,
as well as improving the Crime Intelligence and Criminal Investigations
Directorates, all of which are ongoing.
This notwithstanding, the KMP area has encountered a new
wave of violent crime, which compelled us to review our plan in order to
enhance better effect in decisively handling this prevalent crime. The revised
approach is premised on five measures:
(1) Linkage with and effective communication with the public,as well as public
awareness. Each family in a zoned area of responsibility, shall be given a
telephone line of the nearest station or post.
The public is encouraged to share all relevant information on all matters of security including distress calls. We shall put suggestion boxes at the stations and LC offices. Messages will only be accessed by a select team and all the messages will be treated with confidentiality. The public can also deliver text messages or whatsapp messages on 0707114114
We also appeal and encourage the public to have community
based security approaches such as employment of village scouts, vetting and
registration of those that work at homes- plumbers, casual labourers, house
helps, etc.; installation of cameras in their premises and vehicles (taxis,
public and private transport), to boost our surveillance and investigation
capacities. Public vigilance and cooperation is very crucial in the effort to
eliminate crime.
(2) Quick and effective response. In this regard, the KMP area is going to be
divided into policing zones or security constituencies for each station or
post, with attendant published call lines, reaction forces and linkage to all
stations and posts as well as cameras, when there is a distress call. Other
enablers include:
Registration and marking of streets and residences to enhance quick response
Lighting of streets and or individual premises or residences where affordable.
(3) Effective investigations and prosecution of culprits. To this end, we
require a more robust and dedicated prosecution and judicial set up to handle
this violent variant of crime. Government will discuss modalities with the
Judiciary and the DPP.
(4) Profiling and pursuit of known repeat offenders. This is already an ongoing process and the hunt is on.
(5) The above mentioned measures mainly address the security
of residences. However, we realize that violent crime also manifests in
non-residential locations affecting especially vulnerable pedestrians or
motorists. In this regard, security will ensure more visibility,
accompanied by camera surveillance (where available) to respond to
incidents.
• However, the public can also play a critical role here. We therefore mobilise
the public to be extremely vigilant and security conscious. Avoid moving with
lots of money without the requisite security precautions. If you have to move
late, make the necessary security contingencies, including not moving alone and
update those concerned in case of need of
help. Do not expose those that are most vulnerable to unnecessary risk
especially young children and ladies, moving alone late in the night.
If we step up individual and group/communal vigilance and
consciousness, the risk to individuals can also be largely mitigated. We shall
keep updating you as we proceed with implementation of
these added measures.
Thank you very much.
For God and my country
Maj Gen Sabiiti Muzeyi psc, ndc
FOR: Inspector General of Police
