IGP asked to transfer Busoga police officers over laziness

IGANGA/KAMULI. The Busoga East regional police commander, Mr Anatoli Katungwesi, has asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to transfer several of his officers, citing laziness, drunkenness, corrupt tendencies and poor health.
In his report to the IGP Martins Okoth-Ochola, Mr Katungwesi said a number of police officers were not performing to their expectation, especially those who have stayed at the same duty station for more than four years.

“We have a challenge of officers over staying in one place and poor health. This is resulting in indiscipline issues such as corrupt tendencies, poor customer care, drunkenness and poor response to emergencies, among others,” he said.
Mr Katungwesi was last Friday reporting to the IGP, who was meeting police officers from the five districts of Busoga East region in Iganga Town. The officers came from the districts of Mayuge, Namayingo, Namutumba, Bugiri and Iganga.

More teargas
Mr Katungwesi said the region was short of 1,000 police officers at lower ranks and called for more staffing. He also asked for more teargas ahead of the forthcoming elections.
In his response, the IGP asked the officers to perform their duties in line with the professional code of conduct.
“Whatever you do, you must know that you have to account to the public; you must have a police post where the public runs to and not where they run away from,” Mr Okoth-Ochola said.
He also cautioned them against torturing suspects.

Kamuli
Meanwhile, in Kamuli, Mr Okoth-Ochola asked police to improve their image and called upon officers to revisit the training syllabus.
The IGP was meeting territorial commanders in Busoga North, Kiira and Bukedi regions at Kyemba Gardens.
Mr Okoth-Ochola asked police officers to wake up from their ‘laxity’ in handling assignments, be cautious on human rights violations and brace themselves for civil disorders as the campaign season approaches.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga appreciated the contribution of other partners, especially the Busoga Kingdom and media for complimenting police services in form of community policing dialogues outreaches and pledged to work on manpower and logistical issues raised by the regional police commander.
The RPC in-charge of Busoga North (Kamuli, Luuka, Iganga and Buyende Districts), SSP Moses Kitiyo Mwanga, said: “We expect improvement since the IGP has come on the ground.”

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