Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has sounded a warning against crime preventers saying they shouldn’t involve themselves in enforcement of a nationwide curfew.
A tough talking Museveni issued the warning on Friday while addressing the nation on the county’s response to the coronavirus.
It was his sixth address to the nation since the coronavirus pandemic broke out.
It also came three days after he announced a nationwide curfew to avoid the spread of the virus.
“I have heard of crime preventers. They should not involve themselves unless they are called up by the army. If the army wants them to be involved, it will announce and recruit some,” Museveni warned.
Crime Preventers were created a couples of years ago when Gen Kale Kayihura served as police chief.
They were established to help the country deal with crime.
Since Kayihura’s sacking, the relevance of the outfit has diminished overtime, especially with the revival of the Local Defense Units (LDUs), who are helping police and the army to enforce the curfew that starts at 7pm and ends 6:30am.
Museveni, however, also warned errant LDUs, describing them as “pigs” vowing to arrest those who violate curfew rules like entering people’s houses under the guise if enforcing the same.
When we contacted Crime Preventers boss, Blaise Kamugisha, he said the group is obeying the president’s orders to stand down.
“There is nothing wrong to what he guided. This is a sensitive operation and all of us must listen to the commander in Chief,” Blaise said.
On whether the relevance of Crime Preventers is being replaced by LDUs, Blaise simply said, “I don’t know about that.”
