Police begins fresh training on how to disperse crowds with 2021 around the corner

The Uganda police have started training their officers retooling them in managing public assemblies. The police is doing this ahead of the many expected rallies as the country gears for 2021 general elections.

Relatedly the Uganda police have vowed to continue dispersing politicians who hold unlawful assemblies; police say the FDC party has continued conducting illegal assemblies in different parts of the country.

Police say they are now training officers on how to handle public rallies without using excessive force. They say they are coming up with new strategies where ring leaders are picked out of the crowds and either taken to their home or police cells as a way of calming the situation.

‘’We are meanwhile, conducting training and education of our officers, and reminding them about the role of police during demonstrations, how to cooperate with organizers, strategies to decrease tension, managing various gatherings, the use of proclamation, respect and protection of human dignity’’.

Police say officers have been engaged in running battles with especially the Forum for Democratic Change party FDC which continues to hold assemblies contrary to the Public Order Management Act.

Police say according to the law all organizers intending to hold political rallies and assemblies, should as a requirement, notify the Inspector General of Police, 14 days in advance, indicating the date, time, location, size, purpose and expected number of participants among others which police say the FDC has not adhered to.

The police cites recent FDC rallies in Kabale, Tororo, Jinja, Mubende and Lira which they accuse the FDC for organizing under the pretext of the freedoms of association, expressions and assembly.

Police say despite the FDC’s contention of the law they will continue dispersing them as long as they hold rallies without permission.

Relatedly the police have cautioned the public over the increased cases of kidnap, police say the vice is on the rise though the self kidnaps are also many and causing confusion. Between January and April 27 cases were registered, 23 recovered alive.