Police fail deadline on gun use 

Police have failed to issue operational procedures on use of firearms by officers within 30 days as directed by the President last month.

On September 8, President Museveni ordered Inspector General of Police (IGP) Martins Okoth-Ochola to issue firearm guidelines in a booklet form to all police units, LDUs and private security firms by October 15. 

“By October 15, you should have respective booklet form instructions on the points raised above – for example the procedure for using guns for police, LDUs operating under the command of the police in relation to dealing with the public, and the private security organisations while guarding different homes and properties,” President Museveni said.

Daily Monitor yesterday reached out to several commanders at the police regions and private security firms, but none confirmed receiving the new procedures on use of guns.

A police commander, who preferred anonymity, said IGP Ochola sent them an old circular two weeks ago indicating that they should only use a firearm as a last resort. 

Efforts to get a comment from police spokesman Fred Enanga were futile as he did not respond to our calls or messages by press time.

The illegal use of firearms by security agents and private citizens during the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries and enforcement of presidential guidelines on the containment of coronavirus has worried many human rights activists and security agencies that the incidents might surge during the forthcoming election campaigns.

President Museveni’s orders followed incidents of shootings by LDUs and police officers in which several people were killed and others injured. 

The President identified incidents in the districts of Katakwi, Isingiro and Bugiri. He said nobody should be allowed to carry a gun anywhere in Uganda on behalf of the State and engage with the public. 

Situation
The chairperson of Uganda Private Security Association, Mr Grace Matsiko, said their members have not yet received the new operational procedures from police. 

“We haven’t received the new instructions from the police,” Mr Matsiko said. President Museveni said private security firms should not be allowed to provide bodyguards to people outside their homes. “I don’t think it is a good idea. The police leadership should discuss this and make recommendations. The IGP should issue operational procedures in a booklet form to private security organisations for guarding homes and properties,” he added. 

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