Tayari News | Zadock Amanyisa
In the wake of scripted murders in the districts of Kazo and Ibanda, the Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, on Sunday said the force intended to boost manpower by deploying the flying squad and strengthen community policing to deal with the escalating murders.
Byakagaba was in the Ankole sub-region to assess the security situation, engage with the local leaders and provide guidance following concerns raised by local leaders. The Kazo Constituency Member of Parliament, Dan Kimosho, said the situation was getting out of hand, with more than 14 people, including women and children, killed by machete and hammer-wielding assailants in one month.
The Police Chief, after holding a security meeting with leaders and security teams, said he was ready to unleash more power to stamp out criminality.
“We agreed to have total domination of Kazo, and we are adding more manpower; we are adding more coordination. We have also brought in other elements, like the flying squad from Kampala and Mbarara, and in every sub-county, we are adding another extra 6 people.”
The engagement meeting, which aimed at realigning policing efforts and strengthening the response to the security situation, agreed to continue with community mobilisation. Byakagaba argued that working together with the community was the way to go.
“One of the most effective strategies for stamping out criminality in Kazo district is sustained community mobilisation, with emphasis on strengthening public cooperation, intelligence sharing and collective responsibility in the fight against crime.” He said
He warned the residents against tampering with scenes of crime.
“We call upon our people not to tamper with the crime scenes because once the scene is tampered with, the dog (canine) section cannot be effective.”
Accompanied by the Director of Operations, AIGP Frank Mwesigwa, the IGP also held an operational assessment with police officers in the districts of Kazo, Ibanda, Kagadi and Kyankwanzi.
Captain Yahaya Kakooza, the Kazo Resident District Commissioner, expressed optimism saying the presence of the IGP in the anti-crime operations was a big boost.
“We have played our part, and now that we have reinforcement from the police chief, we are going to double the manpower and transport means at the sub-county level.” He noted