The Uganda Police Force is set to deploy 420 additional officers to Kagadi District in response to a surge in theft of coffee, livestock, and other agricultural produce. This move was announced by Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba during an inspection visit to the district on Sunday, October 4. Byakagaba met with officers in charge of police posts and station commanders from across the district to examine security gaps and address the rising concerns.
Each of the 35 lower local governments in Kagadi District will receive additional personnel, increasing the baseline strength of affected police posts from six to 18 officers. The reinforcement will include personnel from the Criminal Investigations Department, crime intelligence, and community policing, who will operate at the sub-county level and conduct regular patrols to improve police visibility and response to crime.
Byakagaba emphasized the need for police officers in Kagadi to maintain professionalism and impartiality in handling theft cases, including coffee theft. He directed officers to conduct thorough investigations to ensure justice for all complainants and warned against corruption, extortion, and other forms of misconduct that undermine public confidence in the force.
The IGP also announced plans to provide Kagadi District with a second police vehicle and additional motorcycles for sub-counties and town councils to improve police mobility and response to crime. This move aims to complement the deployment of personnel and enable officers to respond more quickly to emergencies.
Byakagaba introduced a new policy limiting police officers' postings at a particular station to three years, addressing concerns associated with prolonged stay in one area. This measure is expected to curb allegations of bias and misconduct. Kagadi Resident District Commissioner Caroline Nanshemeza welcomed the IGP's visit, describing it as a significant boost to the district's security efforts.
Nanshemeza expressed optimism that the additional personnel and transport will enhance the capacity of security officers to respond swiftly to emergencies and other security concerns. She also noted that the visit aimed to boost the morale of police officers, enabling them to perform their duties effectively. Kagadi District LCV Chairperson Ellygard Tumusiime, however, cautioned that additional manpower alone would not solve the district's security challenges without proper supervision, equipment, and structural reforms.
Tumusiime raised concerns over alleged extortion, bribery, and the release of suspects without adequate investigations, particularly those accused of coffee theft. He attributed some of the alleged misconduct to prolonged deployment of police officers at specific stations, emphasizing the need for reforms to address these issues. The deployment of 420 police officers to Kagadi District is expected to enhance security and address the rising concerns of theft in the area.
Key points
- The Uganda Police Force is deploying 420 additional officers to Kagadi District to combat rising theft of coffee, livestock, and agricultural produce.
- The deployment aims to improve police visibility and response to crime, with personnel from the Criminal Investigations Department, crime intelligence, and community policing operating at the sub-county level.
- The IGP introduced a new policy limiting police officers' postings at a particular station to three years to address concerns associated with prolonged stay in one area.
