The Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola, has asked Ugandans to respect Police officers and leave the men and women of uniform to carry out their duties, saying Police will not hesitate dealing with Ugandans that stand in the way of Police.
In a two paged document that he marked as a press statement, written on 29th August 2018, Ochola revealed that Uganda Police Force had noted incidences characterised by the increasing levels of provocation, molestation, harassment and obstruction, disobedience of lawful orders, intimidation and open attacks to its officers in the course of executing their lawful duties by certain members of the public.
Ochola noted that the actions from the civilians have led to regrettable incidents like deaths, body injuries, damage of property and inconvenience to the innocent members of the public as well as security forces.
The IGP’s statement read in part: “This is to remind the general public that such acts and omissions are unnecessary, criminal and won’t be tolerated. Whereas no officer should mistreat or violate the rights of any members of the public, members of the public are asked to obey the laws and have respect for officers charged with the duty of preserving law and order.”
The Police boss also used the statement to remind Ugandans of the set, clear and adequate laws, guidelines, ethics principles and orders that govern and deal with public order management, security operations, arrests, use of force, proclamations, crime scene preservations, observance of Human rights and professional or ethical code of conduct that all members of the public including the media and the security officers must adhere to.
However, Ochola’s message wasn’t only targeting the civilians, but his troops where he warned Police officers against using excessive force and violation of human rights.
He said: “This is therefore to warn, caution and remind all those who intend to violate the laws, guidelines, orders and security operations that they will be dealt with very firmly and decisively.”
