Disband Police Flying Squad, activists tell Ochola

The civil society group has challenged the incoming Inspector General of Police, Mr Martin Okoth-Ochola, to clear the image of the Force.

The activists also demanded that the new IGP disbands the notorious crime preventers, the Police Flying Squad and bring back the special investigations department to deal with the rising crime.

Dr Livingstone Sewanyana, the executive director of Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, said it is high time the new IGP acted and started by disbanding the notorious criminal gangs who have been operating alongside the police.

“For a start, he needs to deal with the question of crime preventers. I don’t think we need crime preventers. He needs to sort out the question of militias that have infiltrated the police. He needs to address that and have them disbanded. He must also disband these so called flying squads that have become torture squads,” he said yesterday.

He said the changes in the police structure are good if only they help to address the evils the Force was accused of under Gen Kale Kayihura.
He said Gen Kayihura had presided over a Force that openly practised nepotism, corruption and lack of rule of law.

The executive director of the National NGO Forum, Mr Richard Ssewakiryanga, said the changes offer the new IGP a chance to work even more.

“You know when you have a new person, you can tap into new and fresh ideas, so my view is that yes its helpful for the police because after 10 or so years, sometimes you need to get some fresh ideas, new thinking so hopefully that’s what we will be seeing in the new appointments,” he said.

He said the leadership of Gen Kayihura has been a challenge for the NGOs because of the various raids on their offices by thugs and called on the new bosses to investigate the attacks.

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