The Ministry of Internal Affairs presented a report to Parliament on Wednesday 30, November 2022, showing 12 cases of attacks on police posts and at least 16 guns stolen.
State Minister for Internal Affairs, David Muhoozi, told plenary that some attacks were instigated by unknown assailants while others were carried out by persons within the Police Force.
Members of Parliament expressed disappointment over the report and called on the Ministry to investigate officers in active service within the force and retired ones.
Rosemary Nyakikongoro (NRM, Sheema district) said the government needs to reassess its officers in and out of service.
“Veterans are disgruntled people, they have grudges, they are struggling, we don’t have a specific program for them, they are the people that have touched the gun and can steal guns from police forces,” said Nyakikongoro.
Hon. Joseph Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu West), said negligence, drunkenness and laziness among officers on duty could be a factor.
“Some of the police officers are lazy, some drink from morning to evening, maybe that’s why assailants take advantage of them,” said Ssewungu.
Other legislators have attributed the growing attacks to the shut down on 129 police posts across the country.
However, Muhoozi explained that it is highly unlikely that a similar attack will happen as there is now better organization of security installations, access controls, front desk staff and invisible reaction groups/persons have been re-designated.
He further stated that the mergers were intended to strengthen the efficiency of small posts by merging them with bigger ones.
“Merging vulnerable smaller police posts and booths into sizeable units was to improve operational efficiency and force protection,” he said.
