IGP: We will respond to gun attacks with full force

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola and his security counterparts have tasked all territorial commanders to aggressively respond to gun and machete-wielding attackers targeting police officers, soldiers, guards and security facilities.

Ochola, has indicated that he and his colleagues heading other security forces have resolved that commanders should not tolerate shootings, robbery of guns and attacks on security personnel as well as the security facilities.

Senior Commissioner of Police –SCP Fred Enanga, delivered Ochola and other top forces commanders’ decision to take aggressive actions. Commanders have been directed to ensure intelligence-led operations against attackers are conducted or swiftly respond to so that the orchestrators are eliminated at the scenes.

“Our leadership of the joint security agencies have tasked all territorial commanders to be prepared to respond to any form of violence that targets their personnel or security facilities,” Enanga said.

Since July this year, 10 police officers, soldiers and private security guards have been shot and killed by attackers who vanished with their guns. The slain police officers are Inspector of Police –IP Alex Wagaluka, Constables Moses Ongol, Ronald Busingye, and Lawrence Otim. The soldiers are Sgt Simon Peter Eyagu and Pte Obed Tufeyo. The private guards murdered for their guns are James Amuriat, Samuel Muhindo, Jonathan Emuroni and Asuman Mutegula.

Ochola and his counterparts’ directive on aggressive response comes a day after Uganda People’s Defence Forces –UPDF Spokesperson, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye, said the Army and sister security agencies have launched a full scale onslaught on criminals interested in picking rifles.

“The criminals’ attempts on our forces shall be met with full force,” Kulayigye said.

Ochola has explained that while it is true that security and law enforcement officers are trained to prospect the public, they are also trained on how to use tactics and proportionate use of force under violent and unpredictable attacks like ambushes, attacks at check points and security facilities.

“We want to inform all security personnel that the leadership of the joint security agencies stands with them and they are doing everything possible to prevent such unprovoked attacks and ambushes on them,” Enanga said, quoting the top security leadership decision. “There should be no tolerance for shootings, robbery of guns and attacks on security personnel who are very fundamental to public safety and security.”

The three assailants who have so far have been put out of action include an army deserter Rogers Alibuza who was shot and killed on Saturday night in a fire exchange between him and soldiers. Alibuza was found with two guns that were taken from slain Sgt Eyagu who was guarding at Gadaffi Barracks on October 31st.

Other assailants were neutralized by a UPDF soldier at Kapeeka on Saturday night after they killed Pte Tufeyo. The army has recovered three of the over 10 taken guns and 88 bullets. Enanga said the joint security agencies are using intelligence gathered in foiled attacks at Kensington and Nakulabye police posts to trace for attackers.

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