Kayihura sends 200 flying squad officers on course
Gen Kale Kayihura
What you need to know:
A senior police officer in the Kampala Metropolitan area told Sunday Monitor that Gen Kayihura’s decision was influenced by increasing public complaints on FSU operations. He said several FSU officers have pending files at the force’s Professional Standards Unit (PSU) in which they have been implicated for extortion, fraud and tampering with exhibits
Kampala.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Gen Kale Kayihura, has sent 200 police officers under the Flying Squad Unit (FSU) for a refresher course at Kabalye Police Training School in Masindi District.
Mr Andrew Kaweesi, the police spokesperson, confirmed that the police chief has sent all FSU officers operating in Kampala Metropolitan and some from upcountry for an eight-week course.
He said Gen Kayihura wants to utilise the period to reorganise the unit’s operations and set up new guidelines and command structure.
“The main objective is to reorganise the unit. But also going on course will improve their skills in handling violent crimes and protection of human rights,” Mr Kaweesi said in telephone interview on Friday.
“The first 130 officers are expected to arrive at the school by Monday. Their colleagues, who are sick or having other issues, will follow them later. For the meantime, general police and counter terrorism unit will be in charge,” he added.
Mr Kaweesi said the officers will learn to handle and respect exhibits, fighting terrorism, as well as exercising the highest level of discipline during their operations.
“These people get a lot of exhibits. They need to get skills in handling and examining exhibits. This course is also intended to shape up their thinking in regard to handling organised and sophisticated crimes,” Mr Kaweesi said.
The reason
A senior police officer in the Kampala Metropolitan area told Sunday Monitor that Gen Kayihura’s decision was influenced by increasing public complaints on FSU operations. He said several FSU officers have pending files at the force’s Professional Standards Unit (PSU) in which they have been implicated for extortion, fraud and tampering with exhibits.
Mr Ivan Musimenta, an operative under the FSU, was a fortnight ago arrested for conniving with Mr Wilber Wanyama, the former Kampala Metropolitan North CID boss to extort Shs60m from Mr Omar Muhammad, a fuel dealer. Mr Kaweesi said Mr Musimenta and Mr Wanyama arrested Mr Muhammad on false allegations that he had imported fake fuel. The duo detained him for close to a week and he gained his freedom after he paid Shs60m to them.
Last month, policed passed out 205 counter terrorism, airborne and VIP protection commandos at UPDF cantonment in Nakasongola District. The commandos underwent a four-month vigorous training conducted by military experts from UPDF and Israel.
The FSU, commanded by Mr Herbert Muhangi, is renowned for hunting high caliber suspects. Between June and August, FSU successfully arrested more than 10 murder, fraud and armed robbery suspects.
