Kayihura warns police officers on land evictions
The Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura has warned police officers especially commanders on participating in land evictions throughout the country.
Speaking during a function to pass out of 294 general duty officers who completed a month’s basic security management training course at Kigo in Wakiso district on Sunday morning, Kayihura said that the police force is currently under the spotlight over a number of illegal evictions which he said should stop.
“When one brings a court order on evictions, clarify with the police’s legal directorate and the land protection unit. Don’t be enforcement officers for court bailiffs,”Gen.Kayihura said.
One person was shot dead while two others sustained severe injuries at Kashunga village in Lwemiyaga sub county in Sembabule District early this month as police enforced an eviction order which prompted angry locals to attack police with machetes, spears and knives.
In July, a witness at the commission of inquiry into land matters named senior police commanders including the slain Assistant Inspector General of Police, Andrew Felix Kaweesi in the fraudulent eviction and demolition of a government building in Jinja in 2014 by businessman Simpson Birungi of Birus properties
Julius Tiwnimujuni, the former commandant of the police Land Protection Unit told the commission led by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire that he has warned the late AIGP Kaweesi about the fake court order by Birus properties but he(Kaweesi) could not heed to his advice.
The police chief told his men that on many occasions officers do not speak to people to be affected by the demolitions but rather just help bailiffs to enforce evictions yet on many occasions they are fake.
“Stop putting police in positions of weakness and compromise. Don’t be in a hurry to enforce eviction but understand the conflict and try to solve it by bringing together the parties.”
Kayihura cited a scenario last week where police was blasted by the security minister Lt.Gen.Hnery Tumukunde for firing tear gas while trying to evict Desh Kananura from his Panamera bar.
The police chief said there was no need for firing bullets and teargas by his men led by Jinja road DPC Michael Musani.
“We should not be part of the evictions but only come to ensure law and order. For example the incident at Panamera , why didn’t you use batons and shields instead of teargas. What was the need for it (teargas).”
The police chief however applauded the Kampala Metropolitan Area police commander Frank Mwesigwa for ensuring that police officers from various units undergo regular trainings which he said would help them keep fit and prepared for any eventualities.
Police officers undergoing training
He said that training is the strength of any force adding that all police officers should undergo regular training.
On the officers who have just completed the training, he said it was pleasing to see that general duty officers had been equipped with basic skills to help them in absence of the specialized units.
“Terror attacks are a common thing and the police in khaki (general duty) are the first line. If they lack such basic training, they can mishandle the situation or get overwhelmed,”Kayihura noted.
A total of 294 general duty officers completed a one month training in which they were equipped with self defence skills, anti -terrorism skills and anti- riot skills.
