I am not competent to speak about Kitatta, says AIGP Ochom
What you need to know:
Members of Boda Boda 2010 were recently seen attacking pupils on a school bus on their way to perform during the Police week celebrations for allegedly wearing red bands, which are associated with those opposed to the proposed scrapping of the article 102 (b) to remove presidential age limits.
Mr Ely Tumuheki, a student at Makerere University expressed concern about the competence of police to handle security affairs affecting citizens if they cannot account for individuals who work with them.
Assistant Inspector General of Police, Edward Ochom has declined to comment on the activities of the head of Boda Boda 2010, Abdallah Kitatta.
Mr Ochom who works as the police's director for research, planning and development says he is less qualified to comment on the allegations levelled against Kitatta.
Members of Boda Boda 2010 were recently seen attacking pupils on a school bus on their way to perform during the Police week celebrations for allegedly wearing red bands, which are associated with those opposed to the proposed scrapping of the article 102 (b) to remove presidential age limits.
The same group has also been seen in the past working alongside police to suppress Opposition protests.
Participants attending a dialogue organised by the Public Interest Law Clinic - PILAC under a theme; "The search for Democratic and Accountable Police Service in Uganda: Milestones and Challenges since Independence" at St. Francis Students Centre at Makerere University in Kampala on Friday, tasked AIGP Ochom to explain the circumstances under which, Kitatta works with police to commit crime and walks scot-free.
The participants also tasked AIGP Ochom to explain where Kitatta derives powers to order around Police officers and the emerging criminal gangs collaborating with police.
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Attack on pupils: Police must stop the thuggery
The children, all pupils of Winterland Primary School in Kyebando, Kampala, were reportedly heading to perform during Annual Police Week at Nkumba on Entebbe Road
"I think on that issue I can say I am not competent enough to answer," said AIGP Ochom.
The response from the AIGP triggered more questions among the participants with some questioning whether they can still trust the police force.
Mr Ely Tumuheki, a student at Makerere University expressed concern about the competence of police to handle security affairs affecting citizens if they cannot account for individuals who work with them.
Mr Tumuheki wondered who would help the ordinary Ugandan citizen if the whole AIGP could confidently tell the public that he was not competent to speak about Kitatta who has been terrorizing citizens.
Mr Emmanuel Atibuni from the Centre for Constitutional Governance wondered why police continues to parade suspected criminals in the media in violation of their constitutional right of presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
The Police Spokesman, Emilian Kayima denied claims that police works with criminals arguing that Ugandans who comment with such thoughts need to be honest.
"We don't work with thugs. When you equate us with Kifesi, I think you are being dishonest," Kayima said.
