The Inspector General of Police, Martins Okoth Ochola has apologized to the Catholic Church and called for a closer cooperation ahead of 2021 general elections.
The message was delivered by a delegation of senior officers led by AIGP Asan Kasingye, the Chief Political Commissar on behalf of the IGP to purposely meet the Rtd. Emeritus John Baptist Kaggwa at his home in Masaka and delivered apologies to him, his family and the catholic church fraternity.
The apology comes shortly after the disruption that was caused during the thanksgiving ceremony of the Mbogo clan in Mugulu village, Singo county where the police dispersed the crowds using teargas on claim that the meeting was illegal.
Ochola carried out a thorough review and evaluation of the incident, and acknowledged the operational lapse which led to the use of teargas that spread and impacted on the congregation and the public.
He extended further apologies in addition to the earlier ones made, regarding this regrettable incident.
He applauded the Bishop for his resilient and steadfast leadership during this disruptive incident by the territorial Police.
He further requested that all leaders including religious leaders should always involve the Police in programmes such as these for better coordination during this COVID-19 pandemic in order to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 transmission among the entire public.