Police in Kicuzi Sub-county, Ibanda District, have raised concerns over inadequate accommodation and transport, challenges they say are severely affecting their ability to maintain law and order.
The concerns were highlighted during a community security meeting held in Irimya Parish, following complaints from residents about the absence of regular police patrols, which they say has contributed to rising cases of theft and other criminal activities.
Speaking at the meeting, Officer in Charge of Kicuzi Police Station William Birungi said the lack of police accommodation has greatly hampered operations, forcing officers to rent private housing at their own expense.
“As the Officer in Charge, I am currently renting a single room using my personal resources, and this is becoming very expensive for me,” Birungi said.
“The police leadership is willing to facilitate accommodation for officers, but the major challenge is that we do not have land where permanent police housing can be constructed.”
He added that the absence of accommodation near the station limits the availability and response time of officers, especially during emergencies at night.
Birungi further revealed that the station is grappling with a shortage of transport, particularly motorcycles, which are essential for patrolling the largely rural sub-county.
“We do not have reliable transport to conduct regular patrols. The motorcycles we had are worn out, and this has made it difficult for officers to respond quickly to security incidents,” he explained.
Residents at the meeting expressed concern that the challenges facing the police have emboldened criminals, calling on district leaders and the central government to intervene urgently by providing land, accommodation, and transport to strengthen security in the area.
Local leaders pledged to engage district authorities to explore possible solutions, including identifying land for police housing, in a bid to restore public confidence in law enforcement.
