Internal Security boss warns on Uganda’s open-door refugee policy

KAMPALA- The director of Internal Security Organisation, Col Frank Bagyenda, has warned that Uganda’s open door policy of welcoming refugees from troubled countries in the region has helped criminals to infiltrate society and are now posing a challenge to security agencies in the country.

Uganda maintains an open door policy to refugees fleeing insecurity from their home countries. Uganda is now home to both illegal and legal migrants mainly from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Burundi, Rwanda, Pakistan, South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“In Africa, Uganda is the biggest host to refugees with 1.2m refugees. Unfortunately among the refugees are law breakers. So we must double our efforts to protect Ugandans and even refugees so that one day, they return home,” Col Bagyenda said while addressing a meeting of all local council leaders in Kampala at Old Kampala Secondary School playground on Thursday.

The security chief called the meeting to devise means of working with local leaders in the fight against the crime wave in the country.
He called upon LC leaders to unite, avoid sectarianism and remain patriotic in the fight against crime.
He said vices such as corruption thrive in an environment of sectarianism.

“As security actors, we must work together for sustainable security. Sometimes, there are issues but we sit together. You also ought to sit together. I urge all DISOs (District Internal Security Officers) to work together with LC to fight crime,” he said.
Col Bagyenda also said security had confidence that working with LCs leaders would help in the fight against crime.
He acknowledged that LCs were working under difficult conditions without pay and he advised them to create a Sacco where government would inject money for all to borrow.

“That way you can engage in income-generating activities to sustain yourselves,” he said.
However, he warned them against fighting over money but work for the unity of all people without segregation.
“We need to work on security so that investors can come to Uganda and bring more money into the treasury. Once the treasury is big, then we will have enough to spend and your renumeration will be got,” Col Bagyenda said.

LCs better allies
According to him, LCs are better placed to know criminals in communities. He called on them to inform security in time. Col Bagyenda urged LCs to be on the look out for criminals because, he said Uganda’s open door policy to refugees fleeing insecurity had been taken advantage of by criminal elements who are pausing a challenge to security.

“If the NRM wants to last long in power, build strong foundations and the only way to build strong foundations is to not segregate but treat everybody equally. Once government releases a cake share it is equally there; no DP or NRM,” Col Bagyenda said, emphasising the need to work together.
ISO gave toll free numbers to the LCs to call them and in case of anything.
The meeting was attended by Kampala Central Division mayor, Mr Charles Musoke Serunjogi.

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