The Vice President of Uganda, Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi commended the Police Force for being what he described as being pro-people.
This was during the annual Police Day Celebrations held at Nkumba University on October 3, 2017. While presiding over the function, Sekandi said, ” I want to thank the Uganda Police for being more pro-people who have made the police more proactive in their profession,”
He added that, “Uganda is striving to create a first class Police Force, with high technological advancements. Steps have been taken in building specialized units like forensics, cyber crime Information Technology criminal investigation departments to enable improve public image and ensure a crime free society. The Force has made significant strides in the protection of lives, security, property and upholding law and order. Connecting with communities to fight crime is the right approach in this new era of criminality. Partnership has not only helped in fight against crime but has also helped mobilize resources to fill where there are gaps,”
While commenting on the day’s theme, he said, ” The theme for this year’s celebrations is very befitting, it’s very crucial in achieving the following objectives., Preventing crime through social transformation, mobilizing and sensitizing the communities on their role in the fight against crime , building confidence in members of community through effective crime management , rejuvenating police community partnership in crime fight , reinforcing efforts in the prevention and protection of women and girls from all forms of violence”
He revealed that Police Day celebration is driven by the need to prevent crime through transformation of the environment in urban centers in which crime and social behaviors thrive which create hide outs for criminal gangs and specific problems such as drug abuse, human trafficking, witch craft , youth unemployment and others be tackled.
On the recent Entebbe killings in Wakiso District, Sekandi said, “activities like popularizing and rolling out patrol teams , establishing look out teams, area zoning through the “Mayumba Kumi” concept will help end criminal acts in these areas .”
In his conclusion Sekandi said that government is committed to supporting the Uganda Police Force in its drive to professionalize the force, expand its infrastructure and improve the welfare of officers so as to reach the force’s objectives.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gen. Kale Kayihura while addressing the gathering promised to do what it takes to stop the murders in areas of Wakiso. He also revealed that need to hold the celebrations in Katabi as, ” We chose to hold police celebrations in Katabi to express our solidarity. There have been fear and panic in this area so we are here not to condole but to strengthen you. We have increased on the number of policemen in Katabi on foot patrol, motorcycles and patrol cars. They will be coordinating with crime preventers and Local Council chairpersons to monitor security right from the grass root level”
He noted that the police and other security organs have resolved to end criminality through combined efforts and employment of new security measures through strengthening neighborhood watch as well as increasing deployment in the area and therefore challenged sister security organs to rise up to the task so as to rebuild public confidence.
The IGP used the celebration to recognize over 200 members of the community with certificates of appreciation for their unending efforts in the fight against crime in Uganda.
They include among others,. Dr Sekandi Herbert, a resident of Nansaana Municipality, Kalema Ronald (Mayor, Katabi) , Joshua Cheptegei and Nankya Dorothy.
The police day was characterized by the police week packaged with different activities like free health service to the public, community policing , marathon in Nansana, public lecture at Nkumba University, exhibitions of different directorates and departments countrywide-in appreciating and strengthening the police relationship with the public.
Police Day was on October 3, 2014 gazetted by President Yoweri Museveni while officiating at the Police Centenary celebrations.
The day is preceded by the Police Week
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