Private security companies task police to produce evidence of modified guns

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Owners of private security companies have asked Uganda Police Force to adduce evidence of guns that have been modified from semi-automated to automated rifles.

Automated rifles fire repeatedly as long as the shooter holds the trigger while semi-automated rifles fire only one piece of ammunition at each pull of the trigger.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga had earlier said that several guns that were seized by the police force’s Alert Squad Unit had been modified by the private security firms that hired or leased them. Enanga explained that such large-scale, superior and automatic weapons can end up endangering the lives of the public because many private security guards do not know how to handle them.

“Most of the superior or automatic weapons have pellets and when recklessly fired, can endanger the lives of many innocent people including customers who could be wounded or even killed. High power weapons should not be in the hands of private security guards,” Enanga said.

Nevertheless, the owners of private security companies say police leadership through its spokesperson, made baseless allegations that are now threatening the confidence of their services to their clients. Through their umbrella body, The Uganda Private Security Association (TUPSA), the companies say the police force based its allegations on a rumour without taking any verification.

TUPSA chairperson Grace Matsiko says that they have never been informed that any of their more than 200 members modify weapons, a process that he says is almost impossible to perform.

“TUPSA has not been made aware at any time that any private security organisation had modified rifles that they own or lease from Uganda Police from Semi-Automatic to fully Automatic rifles. This is a complex technical operation, almost impossible to perform on the SARs and Self-Loading Rifle deployed with guards,” Matsiko said.

Matsiko said even the firearms that were exhibited a few days ago during the meeting convened by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Maj Gen Katsigazi Tumusiime, Operations Director AIGP John Mugira and Director Training AIGP Godfrey Golooba, were not modified.

“No mention of guns seized from private security organisations that had been modified in such a way, nor any private security organisation that would have done such modification. It would be a disastrous move to hastily publish allegations about internal security based on mere rumours,” Matsiko said.

TUPSA’s document expressing dissatisfaction with the police’s accusations has been copied to President Yoweri Museveni, the Minister for internal affairs Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, the Minister for Security Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, the Minister for Defense Vincent Ssempijja and Director General of Internal Affairs.

“If the allegations that private security organisations have modified rifles from semi-automated rifles to fully automatic rifles are unfounded, we kindly appeal to you that Uganda Police Force manages this information, to reassure the public and all stakeholders,” Matsiko said.

TUPSA promised to continue its efforts that ensure all private security companies are compliant with all the laws and regulations, and will never at any time tolerate members who commit serious breaches.

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