Public access to police stations in different parts of the country has been restricted to what could be a move to heighten security, following recent attacks on security installations and personnel.
On Monday, the Inspector General of Police, Martin Ochola, and his counterparts in the Army, and intelligence agencies directed territorial commanders to respond with ultimate fire to attackers who kill police officers and soldiers at security installations.
Ochola’s statement which was delivered by Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga, came on the heels of a Joint Operations Committee -JOC Chaired by IGP that resolved that it was time security agencies adopted an onslaught response to attackers.
“Whilst, it is true that security and law enforcement officers are trained on how to protect the public, they are also trained on how to use tactics and proportionate use of force, under violent and unpredictable attacks, like ambushes, attacks at checkpoints, detaches and security facilities. There should be no tolerance for shootings, robbery of guns, and attacks on security personnel, who are fundamental to public safety and security,” Ochola said.
URN understands that more soldiers have been deployed for Tokora operations commanded by Col Fred Mwesigye. Security meetings have been held at Kampala Central Police Station to devise means of incorporating dozens of soldiers under Tokora for operations against criminality.
“The Tokora commander has asked division and station commanders in KMP to inform him in case they need soldiers because they are available in plenty,” a Senior Superintendent of Police said.
The IGP’s response comes after more than 10 police officers, soldiers and guards have been killed by unknown criminals and their guns stolen. The attacks have occurred in Kampala, Luwero, Nakaseke, Iganga, and Jinja.
Police commanders in areas of Kampala Metropolitan and other districts have responded by using sandbags to erect perimeter walls and build blast walls, or ropes to enclose some areas.
For instance, at Kampala Central Police Station -CPS, ropes have been used to close a pathway near Buganda Road Court.
At Kasana and Wobulenzi police stations in the Luwero district, access has been restricted using car tire cutters, sandbags, and poles to prevent motorists from passing near them starting at 9 pm.
Policemen have threatened to shoot and impound the motorcycles or vehicles that will attempt to pass through the restricted areas.
Living Twazagye, the Luwero District Police Commander explained that they have also banned cars from parking at the police stations and residents from making unnecessary visits to the stations.
“We have resolved that a complaint, witness, or suspect should be attended to in a few minutes and leave the station to stop people’s tendency without business wasting time at stations.” Twazagye.
Richard Bwabye the Luwero Resident District Commissioner said that in some hotspots, policemen with the support of soldiers of Uganda People’s Defense Forces are conducting joint patrols at night to beef security of both installations as well as the public.
At Mukono Police Division, sandbags have been used to erect a perimeter fence to prevent blasts and possible attacks against the personnel.
In stations such as Kisoga, Naggalama, and Lugazi Central Police Station, police have set up more barricades, besides deploying more armed police officers at the entry points.
Annabelle Nyinamahoro, the Mukono Division Police Commander, said various measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of police officers.
In Fort Portal, there is an unusual deployment of security personnel who have since commenced night patrols in the city and its suburbs.
At Fort Portal Central Police station, police have also intensified checkups at the entrance and increased the number of personnel manning the entrance from two to at least four.
Unlike in the past when the police station was freely accessible, today, visitors are subjected to a thorough screening process while those who don’t have proper identification or genuine reasons for visiting police are turned away.
In Mbale, security personnel has banned night movements near their barracks. Rodgers Taitika, the Elgon region police spokesperson, said they have also increased the number of the officers working on the night shift and deployed some officers to monitor the Closed-Circuit Television –CCTV.
“From 7 pm we don’t expect the locals to come close to the police station. In case of any cases to be reported by the locals, they have to call the police using the police hotline,” Taitika said.
Muhammad Nsubuga, the Greater Masaka Regional Police Spokesperson said they have ordered for immediate closure of all porous access routes into police stations and residences of officers to prevent possible attacks by criminal gangs targeting firearms.
Nsubuga added that they found it necessary to have one common entrance and exit point for easy monitoring of all people who go to their installations.
“Commanders have been instructed to intensify their alertness at night to ensure the safety of both the personnel and firearms,” Nsubuga said.
However, in areas of Kigezi and West Nile, no visible changes have been made. The main and subordinate police stations are freely accessed day and night.
There are no checkpoints, and even the on and off guards do not bother to ask people what they want or check what is in the bags they are carrying.