A security source said some of the major divisions have been given 10 motorcycles which will be used by standby teams established at each division. Other divisions, according to the source, have received at least five motorcycles.
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Brand new motorycles parked at Jinja Road
The Uganda Police force has distributed 96 motorcycles to all its
eighteen divisions in Kampala metropolitan area ahead of Thursday’s elections. The
motorcycles are intended to enable swift response to election-related violence
that may arise during or after the polling exercise.
A security source said some of the major divisions have been given 10
motorcycles which will be used by standby teams established at each division.
Other divisions, according to the source, have received at least five
motorcycles.
The motorcycles have reportedly been distributed depending on the number of
police officers attached to the division, the number of polling stations in
their area of jurisdiction and violent incidents often recorded by the
division.
“I counted 96 motorcycles that were brought in KMP [Kampala Metropolitan
Policing Area] and I know they have been already distributed. CPS [Kampala
Central Police Station] was the first to get 10 motorcycles,” the source said.
Some of the police divisions that have received 10 motorcycles include Jinja
Road, CPS, Katwe, Old Kampala and Kawempe. URN reporter found the new brand
motorcycles parked at Jinja Road and CPS.
CPS, Katwe, Old Kampala and Jinja Road often lead in crimes of violence,
threatening violence, assaults and economic related offences. In 2019, Katwe
topped assault cases with 960 while CPS led in economic crimes but came second
in violence-related incidents.
Police’s Police Advisory Committee –PAC chaired by Inspector General of Police,
Martin Ochola, in august resolved to purchase motorcycles, ambulances, patrol
vehicles and trucks for this year’s general elections.
Ochola, while addressing the media on Friday, said police and sister security
agencies had developed a multi-layered plan that includes patrols on
motorcycles and vehicles.
“We have since addressed the security gaps, about what happened during the
violent riots and demonstrations. And now have a multi-layered security
response of patrol groups on foot, motorcycles and patrol vehicles. We have practiced active drills on several scenarios including violent riots, radical
youth groups, cyber harassment, clashes between rival groups,” Ochola said.
Other logistics police have procured for elections include Renault patrol and
lead vehicles, teargas canisters, teargas trucks and riot shields.
Senior Staff Reporter
Joseph Kato is currently a Master's candidate at Makerere University. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from Kampala International University, a Diploma in Journalism and he's also a graduate in Guidance and Counseling.
