By Sarah Achen Kibisi.
A section of legislators are concerned about the closed police stations and now want them reinstated in bid to curb the high crime rate in the country.The MPs including Kiboko North, Dr Musa Noah told journalists that closing the police stations was uncalled for because the country is in a situation where crime is high. Having police stations in place is one of the ways to curb crime in the different parts of the country. “Closing police stations is not the solution to the problem, instead police should be given more resources to provide adequate man power to man security in the country,” said Musa.Mityana South MP, Hon. Lumu Richard Kizito in a press conference at parliament recently said that closing the posts means police is running away from its mandate of protecting the citizens.“I have written to the speaker to accord me some time on the floor so that I raise this matter on the floor,” said Lumu. Hon. Lumu noted that after parliament appropriated funds for police, where they intend to put the funds since they are closing posts. “The Inspector General of Police, Mr Martin Ochola and Internal Affairs Minister should come out clear if they have failed so that the President intervenes,” Lumu added.Bamunanika County MP, Robert Ssekitoleko said that the level of crimes in the country will shoot up. “Remember having these posts in place helps in reducing on the crimes because criminals tend to fear the police,” noted Ssekitoleko.This month , Ugandans woke up to the news in media that police had moved to close Police Posts in Lubaga division in Kampala as a way of implementing President Yoweri Museveni’s 2019 directive of concentrating police officers at sub-county level.This decision comes after a crime intelligence directorate headed by one Brig Gen Chris Damulira following the recent attacks on Police Posts in areas of Mityana, Luweero, Kiboga, Nakaseke, and Wakiso established that thugs had been successful because of fewer personnel numbers at the posts.In response to crime intelligence findings, the Inspector General of Police, Martin Ochola, indicated that it is time for the President’s (3-year-old) directive to be implemented in order to minimize attacks on police officers at isolated at Police Posts.But also police leadership said shifting all police officers to sub-countries will increase numbers and have better equipment to respond in case of attacks or any other security emergency. In Kampala metropolitan that covers the City, Wakiso and Mukono districts, police target to close over 100 Police Posts and Booths.It should be recalled that closure of Police Posts started in Lubaga this month where posts like Nalukolongo, Kitebi, Munaku, and Kabawo were closed. However, local leaders and residents protested the move saying it is would expose them to attacks by thugs.Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, said locals need not worry because police officers being removed from posts will be deployed for day and night foot and motorized patrols.Similarly, Fred Enanga, the national police spokesperson, said the proposed sub-county policing model will ensure effective policing policy, of the urban and rural areas of the community. He elaborated that the model is premised on the need to enhance police visibility, automation of policing services through advanced technology, consolidation of the available resources and assets at the sub-county■
