Police and Prison personnel have been cautioned against rewarding themselves Christmas holiday leave. The warning was sounded by the Inspector General of Police, Martin Ochola, and Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr Johnson Byabashaija.
The duo says the current security threats where security installations have been attacked heighten risks if the many personnel take festive season holidays.
They further explain that Christmas and New Year’s fests might be used by criminals to wreak havoc on the civilian population, few personnel on duty as well as inmates.
Ochola has tasked all Officers in Charge of stations, Districts, Divisions, and Regional Police Commanders to ensure that all their personnel are on duty without fail. Other than those with emergencies, Ochola has said that commanders must account for all personnel in their respective jurisdictions whether during the day or night hours.
Senior Commissioner of Police, Fred Enanga, said the IGP reminds officers to ensure all entertainment, shopping and worship centers are well secured since we still have terror threats. He cited the case in Matugga where remnants of Allied Democratic Forces -ADF were shot dead on Sunday night.
Flying Squad Unit and Crime Intelligence conducted an operation in Kito cell, Matugga town council, in Wakiso district and killed two suspected ADF terrorists, Akim Kajubi and Male Muhanguzi. These were found with two Sub-Machine Guns and two Improvised Explosive Devices- IEDs. The bombs were blasted today at 5 am by the Bomb Squad.
Kajubi and Muhanguzi are suspected to have been part of the seven-armed criminals that attacked Busiika police station in Luweero district where they killed an Inspector of Police -IP Alex Wagaluka and Police Constable Moses Ongol.
They are also linked to the December 9 killing of two civilians Ibra Kalyango and Peter Nsubuga at Kasule Ayanguwa village in Butambala district and later mounting an attack on Kyabadaza police station where they released suspects and torched it.
Enanga said such incidents explain that the terror threats are still visible and no police officer should relax. Similarly, UPS Spokesperson, Frank Baine, has said that all prison commanders have been tasked not to give leave to any warder or wardress unless it is an emergency which should also be notified to regional commanders.
Baine said that all jail centers must be protected at all times and no person should be allowed to donate cooked or ready-to-eat meals to prisoners. However, Dr Byabashaija has allowed those with raw food to share with inmates because it will be subjected to standard checks.
