The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Luweero police are considering confiscating firearms and taking punitive action against 10 private security firms accused of defying a directive against deploying a single guard.
The implicated security firms are Safety and Security Limited, SWAT Security Company, Security Group Uganda Limited, Kasuku Protection Services and Prime Security Services Limited.
Others are Securex Uganda Limited, Tiger Security Group Limited, Star React Guard Uganda Limited, Corporate Limited Company, Life and Property Security Association.
The Luweero District Police Commander, Benson Byaruhanga Mworozi, says recently the Inspector General of Police issued a circular reminding all private security firms against deploying single guards at premises, saying it is risky for their lives and property.
Byaruhanga explains that the security firms were ordered to deploy at least two guards each shift to support each other in case of attack.
He, however, notes that 10 of the 19 private security firms operating in Luweero district have failed to abide by the directive despite acknowledging receipt of the circular and the Private Security Organization Regulations.
Byaruhanga says they have launched night patrols and will confiscate the firearms of guards who will be found operating alone and recommend the withdrawal of the license of their security firm.
Ssaka Kisekka, the Lumu zone LC I, says the new measure is likely to increase the expenses of those using the services of private security firms yet it may not stop crime.
According to Kisekka, most of the robberies on the premises are linked to guards who connive with thugs to commit the crime. He asks Police to intensify patrols to foil robberies.
Paul Mukungu, the Luweero town council LC 3 Chairperson has asked Police to conduct sensitisation meetings involving private security operators and their clients to appreciate the need of deploying more than one security guard because it is costly.
Mukungu says the police operation will expose private security firms, which deploy armed guards without ammunition.
None of the supervisors of the implicated security guards was willing to comment, saying the matter can only be discussed by their superiors in Kampala.
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Swatt security group employee identified as Abraham Otim on 11th June 2020 while on duty at Nankulabye went out of hand and started aimlessly discharging off his gun and assaulting innocent people on the streets including a disabled identified as Isma Serwadda who was helpless since he couldn’t run for his life like the other individuals. He was badly assaulted, left unconscious and sustained injuries from the gun bat and bullets that were used by the said Swatt Security employee. He was later saved by the area police and rushed to the nearby health centre where he has fought for his life till to date. When he contacted the employers for the financial help, they refused to give a hand claiming that it was not their responsibility. Its an absurdity that such injustice still exists in our Country.