Wednesday, December 15, 2010

SECURITY BLANKET SOON OVER KAMPALA

“Yes, there are terror threats mainly from Al-Shabab and the ADF but we are not asleep” said the inspector general of police Gen. Kale Kayihura during the launch of police magazine Mwangaza at the Uganda Media Centre on Wednesday 15th December.

He however promised a high security alert in the region especially in and the around Kampala. “By next week we are going to have a security blanket over the region.” he said. “In fact we are working with our counter parts in Kenya to see how security can be maintained in the entire region” he continued.
This follows a recent terrorist attack in Kenya a few weeks ago which saw two police men dead. Reports say the terrorists were on a motorbike by the time they blew themselves with a grenade killing two police officers. Not forgetting also the recent ultimatum issued by the Al Shabab when president Museveni visited Mogadishu.

“We therefore appeal to all Ugandans especially private proprietors to be more vigilant during this festive season because terrorism is real, and still here. We shouldn’t forget the September attack.” he cautioned.
All this he said at the launch of a police magazine Mwangaza, a Swahili word for enlightenment, where he promised an improvement in the standards of police services come 2011. “As we celebrate the birth of Mwangaza magazine, we in the leadership of the force, promise to continuously improve the way we serve the public, and commit to the realization of community policing….” the magazine which buys three thousand Uganda shillings, highlights issues like the forthcoming presidential elections and how police plans to handle the situation, police promotions, the success of police canine unit, anti-terrorism campaign and also a reflection from president Museveni about the police force, “The police must therefore, not tolerate corruption. Not because they want to go to heaven, not because they want God to tick their certificates…”as said by the president during the 6th meeting of ministers responsible for police matters at Speak Resort Munyonyo in 2006.

Gen. Kayihura is also hopeful this publication is one way through which the force can well interact with the community and sighting the force’s shift from the traditional station-based, remote and people sensitive police to a mass-based, mass oriented, service driven and proactive police force. “Our goal is crime violence prevention, through community mobilization and problem solving hence we are putting in place a community policing system” he said.

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