IGP Ochola issues strict guidelines on guns, Increased crimes

The newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola has issued new and strict guidelines to the force in regards to a number of security issues including fire arms and increased crimes.

Two weeks ago, President Museveni appointed Ochola to replace Gen.Kale Kayihura as police boss and Brig.Muzeeyi Sabiiti as his deputy.

There has been a number of crimes meted out to the members of public and security agents by unknown people using guns.

However, according to the new guidelines, Ochola has written to all police directors and various units to take immediate action relating to a number of security issues in regards their work.

“Streamline the management of firearms whether in possession of police, private security organizations or civilians in your areas of responsibility,”Ochola ordered in a message also copied to his deputy dated March 15.

“Ensure proper accountability and control measures of all firearms and restoration of full command and authority over your areas of responsibility.”

Recent data released by Gen.Jeje Odongo last year during a workshop on the proposed Small Arms and Light Weapons Control Bill indicated that 503 people had been killed whereas 1477 had survived with wounds resulting from guns between 2014 and 2016.

A recent crime report by the police Flying Squad Unit indicated that northern Uganda registered the highest number of gun related crimes with Lira district accounting for 18.8 percent and Gulu at 14.4 cases in the entire country.

The Flying Squad in 2017 recovered 48 guns including 30 AK47s, six pistols, two PKs and 524 bullets

A number of police stations around the country have of recent been attacked by unknown assailants and a number of guns taken.

In the new guidelines by the new police boss, police commanders have been tasked to take proactive action to recover all firearm being illegally and irregularly possessed within their areas of responsibility.

“File a full inventory of firearms and ammunitions in your areas of responsibility to this office.”

Increased crime

Ochola has also issued new guidelines to his men in a bit to curb the increasing crimes all over the country.

In his new year message on December 31, President Museveni blamed police for the soaring crime rate in the country citing the recent spate of murders of over 20 women in Entebbe and Nasana areas of Wakiso district.

Police has also put on the spot over the increased number of kidnaps, the latest being Suzan Magara,28, a cashier with Bwendo Dairy Farm who was kidnapped as she left work and her body was discovered dumped in a bush near the Entebbe express highway.

In the new guidelines, the IGP has asked police commanders to ensure they deal with the increasing crimes within their areas of responsibility.

“Adopt a stern approach to curb serious crimes like murder, theft of motor vehicles, kidnappings, narcotics related crime, offenses stemming from land conflicts and domestic violence,”Ochola says in the new guidelines.

He also asked the officers to ensure total compliance to the chain of command, policies, systems and standard procedures for the force.

The police officers have also been asked to improve, protect and promote the image of the force that has gone down in the recent years due to a number of years.

“Ensure strict adherence to human rights standards by all officers under your command.”