Don't Beat Opposition Leaders Kyagulanyi, Besigye During Demonstrations - Minister Otaffire Warns Police Chiefs

The Minister for Internal Affairs RTD Gen Kahinda Otaffire has warned police chiefs to stop beating up opposition leaders Especially NUP President Hon Robert Kyagulanyi and former FDC President Dr Kiiza Besigye during their political demonstrations, Spyreports can exclusively reveal. 

The tough Minister issued warning on Tuesday while presiding over the hand over and take over of new police Chiefs at police e headquarters in Naguru.Recently President Museveni appointed former Counter Terrorism Chief abas Byakagaba as the New IGP replacing Martin Okoth Ochola.

 The President also appointed James Ochaya former Director Research and Planning as Deputy IGP replacing Maj.Gen Tumusiime Katsigazi who was sent back to UPDF for redeployment. Gen Otafiire who was very Frank told police officers how they have become law breakers and enforce law on others.

 "Do not beat Opposition leaders Kyagulanyi and Besigye during their political demonstrations because by doing so you will be breaking the laws," Says Gen Otafiire adding that police should contain them within the law.

He added that political parties are there by law. "Do not beat Opposition leaders but rather beat bad characters and bad conduct," Says Gen Otafiire.

"Demonstrations are provided with in the Constitution and you should not Deny them their rights but guide them with in the law," Sounds Otafiire.

He says if Kyagulanyi wants to go to Jinja don't stop him but escort him to where he is supposed to be. 

"Don't allow them to go our schools, markets but taken them to play grounds and allow them do their activities and after they will go home," He says.

 He says as Government they are not harassing the opposition because they don't want to break the law.

"Just enforce the law but don't beat Opposition," he stresses. General Otafiire also cautioned new IGP Abas Byakagaba to treat other chiefs equals but not mistreating them.

"Treat all these people equally because they are all potential IGPs only that their time has not come," Sounds Gen Otafiire.

 He added that by working as a joint team together with the population crime will be wiped out.

"If you want to fight crime just win the hearts and minds of the population," Otafiire tells IGP Byakagaba. He advised IGP to always make timely and correct decisions.

On police accommodation, Otafiire says he wants the project to be finished as soon as yesterday. He also instructed SCP sewanyina to work with PS Internal affairs to make sure police houses are completed soon.

Gen David Muhoozi who also attended the function urged New IGP Byakagaba to fight corruption and bribery which is still a problem within the force.

"The President you to head the force so don't disappoint him. Make sure you wipe out corruption in police. 

He also urged the new police leaders to start where army stopped .

He also emphasised on descpline and training in the force. " Don't allow impunity in the force, when an officer does wrong make sure the law gets with him or her," Says Gen Muhoozi.

 The out going DIGP who also acted as IGP General Katsigazi says he left very many challenges in the force which asked the new IGP to tackle to make the force move on well.

 "Police operates on inadequate budget which has hindered most of the operations of the force," Says Gen Katsigazi adding on top of little budget there is lack of human resource.

"We are recruiting the new officers not to add on human resource but to replace those who deserted due to poor living conditions," He says.

 He added that police needs more man power to handle crime in the Country. He also revealed that police uses old vehicles which can not handle speedy operations.

"Police vehicles as old as of 2015. Police need new vehicles to handle speedy operations," he says adding that even those old ones are not well serviced. He further says that fuel in the force had also become a terrible problem.

 "A police patrol can not have 3 literes of fuel on a daily basis and this has hindered us when it comes to conducting operations. He also revealed that feeding of police officers is still a problem.

 " These officers get one meal a day and you can not send them in an operation on empty stomach," he says. He added that internal descpline is still a challenge in the force. "Barracks administration is still a challenge. It needs to be improved," He says.

The New IGP Abas Byakagaba says he is not new in the force and knows all the corners.

"Sir am very confident that me and my team will deliver from up to the Constable," he says adding that he is ready to tackle all the challenges mentioned by out going IGP.

"I want to give assurance that we shall work together and change our mind set," he reveals.

 He says he will support social economic growth of this Country by providing security to the Country. " Am going to emphasise on training.Every body must know why he/she is in police, " he says.

He adds that he will identify people who can do the work and place them where they fit to be. "Police must become a complete Vehicle ready to move," he says.

 He further says he will establish back police schools to help children of the police officers get quality education.

He adds that he will also restore acqusition of anti crime infrastructure like CCTV cameras, forensic, CID ,Counter terrorism to help in fighting against increased crime.

He also warned his team to talk while taking action. ,"police is stronger than police," he says.