The comprehensive crime preventers’ training has of late bothered Ugandans since little is known about the groups’ exact mandate and command structure. Many allege that there is no legal statute establishing the program.
In January 2016, a coalition of five human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International, called on the government of Yoweri Museveni to suspend this operation as the elections approach.
According to the organizations, crime preventers are used as a tool “aimed at intimidating or reducing support for the political opposition” through means including torture.
Uganda’s Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura, reportedly set a target of 1.6 million crime preventers – the equivalent of around 30 in each of Uganda’s 56,000 villages.
In Lango sub-region – where 1.5 million people resided according to the latest census – the local police claimed that 200,000 crime preventers had been recruited.
While speaking at a press briefing that took place yesterday morning at State House, Entebbe, the NRM flag bearer refuted allegations that the police crime preventers target Uganda’s opposition.
President Yoweri Museveni, who is the National Resistance Movement Party Chairman and flag bearer for the 2016 national elections due on 18th February 2016, said that crime preventers are a Police Reserve Force.
“In all modern countries, there is an Army and Police Reserve. Crime Preventers are a Police Reserve. They do not have any political affiliation. Anyone who wants to become a Crime Preventer should join,” he said.
Crime preventers are volunteers meant to guard and prevent crime and should not be involved in partisan politics, the Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda additionally said, responding to a question by Hon. Reagan Okumu (FDC, Aswa) during one of last month’s parliamentary seating.
Mr. Museveni reassured the country that there will be no violence during elections. “The law guarantees a peaceful election. It says what is wrong and should not be done during elections. If you do what should not be done, we will arrest you. Soldiers are not yet deployed but they will soon be,” he said.
The President further said that from the unity, Uganda has become strong because of the prevailing peace that has also led to development.
He urged that the NRM Government is now working on creating wealth adding that four sectors that create wealth include commercialized agriculture, factories, services and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
aaron@ugchristiannews.com/ Photo – Crime Preventers during their training.
