Let me welcome you all to our new home, I know most of you have not been here it might be your first time. You are welcome. This is not the headquarters but CID headquarters, JLOS is going to build for us a new headquarters in the open space you see over there.
We are happy for your courtesy call. It shows that we still have a good working relationship with CBS radio as an organization and the Buganda Kingdom at larger. There are Police Officers who are adherent fans of CBS radio, including the top leadership of Police; they do not miss your news bulletins.
Let me also take this opportunity, to inform you that Police has made all the necessary preparation in terms of security to see that His highest the Kabaka’s visit goes on smoothly. All the necessary logistics for the deployment is already in place, advanced security team are already on the ground. We shall deploy adequately to see that the security of the Kabaka is not compromised while at Kayunga.
The management of Uganda Police is appreciative of your work and the cooperation we have been having together, I know we have had one or two misunderstandings between CBS radio and Police, but that is normal in an emerging democracy like Uganda. If develop in terms of democratic governance am sure such misunderstanding will not be there.
I know our area of conflicts is where for you as a media organization you work on the principal of the right to inform the public. Which is okay because even the constitution grantees that but for us we have the right to first and foremost to protect the people of Uganda, secondly to defend the image of Police. When we the PROs of Police are defending the institution, you say we are denying you the information.
Let me take this opportunity to thank all CBS reporters/journalists that we have been inviting to come and cover our functions, they have not disappointed us. They have also responded as if they are military men like us. And of course you the editors who approve the story, even if it’s a PR story you always ran.
On our part, we pledge to continue working with you and to even strengthen the already existing relationship we have with CBS.
I want thank you really for coming to interact with us, you know, we might be sitting here in our offices thinking that we are doing the right thing yet we are not, so I want to encourage you to be open to us, correct us where we have gone wrong and also advise us on how to improve our department. We are open to any positive advice that can help us to build and improve the image Police and our working relationship with journalists.
I know there have been operational challenges, when our officers are in the field. A few reporters have had their recorders destroyed or suffer with tear gas but we want apologize for that. It’s not that we intend to do that but because teargas does not discriminate whether a journalist or a police officer, even us we suffer the same.
Allow me highlight the achievements that Uganda Police Force has made, some people out there think that we only teargas people but we have also carried out some development.
In 2012, Criminal Investigations and Crime intelligence Directorate, investigated and concluded 33,657 (56.53% of the target) violent crimes which were submitted to the DPP which resulted into 8,422 convictions.
In the same year, there was an 8.2% reduction on road fatality from 2,843 in 2011 to 2,611 in 2012. This was as a result of traffic operations on drink-driving in Kampala Metropolitan area and major high ways and in partnership with the Uganda Breweries Limited.
Fire incidents decreased by 6.4% from 1,203 cases in 2011 to 1,126 cases in 2012 and rescue emergencies also reduced by 5.7% from 245 cases in 2011 to 231 cases in 2012. People killed in fire reduced from 31 in 2011 to 22 in 2012. Most fires were recorded from residential buildings at 459 followed by commercial premises at 263.
The Canine Unit tracked 5,232 suspects and arrested 2,960 (56%) of them. Arraigned 1,412 of the suspects in court and secured 224 convictions. Recovered 302 exhibits comprising of fuel, coffee, phones and other equipments.
ASTU in conjuction with UPDF recovered 239 heads of cattle and 18 goats out of 326 heads of cattle and 27 goats stolen in Karamoja and Katakwi. This is as a result of branding that makes it easy for the goats and cattle to be identified.
Human Resource capacity
The Police strength has grown from 3,000 personnel in 1986 to 14,000 personnel in 2005/6 and currently stands at 41,000 out of the targeted 65,000 personnel against the estimated population of 35.4 million, which means that 1 police officer serves 863 people against the UN recommended ratio of 1:500. Over the last three years, UPF has trained 18,174 personnel in areas (refresher courses, leadership and command specialized trainings) all geared towards professionalism.
Two CID personnel were sent to study masters in forensic science and DNA profiling in the UK in an effort to strengthen forensic evidence base investigations.
In the last financial year alone, 388 detectives in crime investigations and analysis, 807 Community Liaison Officers, 1,159 personnel on identification and response to terrorist incidents, 270 middle managers in command and control, 72 officers in marine operations and 80 peer educators on HIV/AIDS officers were trained.
The following CIID Courses will be undertaken in 2013/2014:
• Introduction of 500 PPCs into CIID
• Training 50 Scene of Crime Officers (SOCOs) in Crime Scene management
• Training 25 Officers in Cyber Crime Investigations
• Training 100 Officers in Narcotics Investigations
• Training 50 Officers in Crime Intelligence Analysis
• Training 120 Officers in Collation and Crime Data Management
• Training 100 Officers in Homicide Investigations
Administration
In 2006, Uganda Police Force had only four Directorates to run the affairs of the Force, this has improved greatly, the Force now has 20 directorates, namely; Human Resources Management/Administration, Operations, Crime investigations and Intelligence, Interpol and International Relations, Logistics and Engineering, Welfare and Production, Counter Terrorism, Research, Planning and Development, Oil and Gas, Political Commissariat, Information Communication and Technology, Health Services, Traffic and Road Safety, Fire Prevention and Rescue Services, Human Rights and Legal Services, Parliamentary Affairs, Kampala Metropolitan, Special Duties, Field Force Police and Forensic services. With the creation of new directorates, the Force is now able to provide services better to the public.
Equipments and facilities
UPF had 6,284 housing units (863 offices and 5,421 residential units) in 2009 and have since added 502 residential units, 41 stations and posts, 31 Child reception centers, 3 Training Schools (Kabalye, Olilim, Yumbe), Forensic Laboratory, Police Headquarters (CIID Wing), 1,697 Police uniports constructed, 1 canine center/clinic at Nagalama.
By December 2012, a number of achievements were made which included the construction of Police stations and barracks in the following areas: Amuru, Pader, Amuria, Katakwi, Abim, Namasale, Agwata, Amolatar, Nakapiripirit, Aboke, Nyero, Kitgum, Nebbi, Bushenyi, Nagalama Kennels, and Forensics Laboratory.
Since January 2013, the following additional achievements have been made:
– Movement of Police Headquarters to the New CIID Headquarters
– Completion of various Police Stations i.e. Moroto, Amuria, Pader, Maracha, Awach, Mukono
– Completion of various Residential accommodation blocks i.e. Maracha, Awach, Kibuku, Kotido, Moroto
– Ongoing Stations to be completed before end of 2013 i.e Tororo, Butalejja, Kiira, Kaabong, Kotido, Luwero, Nakapiripirit,
– Ongoing Barracks to be completed before end of 2013 i.e Kabale, Rukungiri, Kyenjojo, Kabalye,
– Relocation of personnel on JLOS Land in Naguru to Busunjju.
Ongoing projects:
– Construction of a National Cancer Diagnostic Center at Plot 44, Windsor Crescent, Kololo, Kampala
– Garment Factory on Jinja Road
– Completion of the Canine Clinic at Nagalama
– Construction of Stations in Nateete, Lumino, Bullisa, Manafwa, Yumbe, Koboko
– Construction of Barracks in Mbale, Bududa, Bulisa, Busia, Bukwo, Kabalye
– Construction of 10 Canine units
– Construction of 15 Community Halls based on the Muyenga model
– Renovation of Arua Police barracks is underway.
The following Projects are at planning stages and implementation is expected to commence in the Calendar year 2014:
– New Police Headquarters at Naguru
– New Logistics and Engineering Base in Namanve
– Police Marina at Kigo
– Officers Mess at Naguru
Projects under Justice Law and Order Sectors (JLOS) include constructions of Police Stations in Bundibugyo, Kisoro, Kanugu, Kayunga, Isingiro, and Lamwo.
Justice Law and Order Sector plan for 2013/2014 are Ibanda, Mayuge, Wakiso, Kiboga and Kyenjojo.
JLOS has procured furnitures and equipments for the following stations; Ibanda, Wakiso, Mayuge, Lamwo, Bundibugyo, Isingiro, Kayunga, Kiboga, Kyenjojo, Kibuku and Bulambuli.
International Relations
Uganda Police Force has actively participated in sending troops for peace keeping in other foreign countries on the request of the United Nations and African Union. The Force has sent troops to Liberia, Kosovo, Darfur, South Sudan, East Timor and currently Somalia. In all these places Uganda Police personnel have excelled in their work and discipline.
Fleet Status
The Uganda Police Fleet Management Division used to be just a mere unit it has been upgraded to the level of a division. It has the strength as below in terms of equipment; in the year 2004 the fleet status was at its lowest as compared today:
- Motor vehicles (1059)
- Marine Vessels (26)
- Motor Cycles (3558)
- Bicycles (1032)
- Donkeys (13)Personnel Welfare
Directorate of Welfare and Production was established and the mandate of the Directorate is to improve the standards of living of personnel and their families socially, economically and politically. Many projects and schemes to address the personnel welfare problem and improve their living standards have been initiated under the Directorate of Welfare and Production. The Police Duty Free scheme is one of such interventions.
A Duty free shop was established to provide the officers with low price items at a factory price. Initially it was based in Kampala but currently decentralized to regions (Arua, Gulu, Lira, Hoima, Mbarara, Masaka).
Exodus Sacco was formed for personnel to access affordable loans. The Sacco has saved over 4 billion shillings in form of members saving and disbursed over one (1) billion shillings as loan.
- NAADS Poultry project (Ntinda, Naguru, Nsambya and Fire Brigade HQ)
- Food production in Kabalye (64 acres of maize) HEALTH CENTERS AND SERVICES
UPF operates 76 health centers at different levels; [(04) HC IV, (10) HC III and (62) HC II].
- They all offer general medical care to outpatients.
- 03 maternity centers at Nsambya (10 beds), Masaka (5 beds) & Jinja (5 beds).
- 03 Antenatal centers at Naguru, Mbale & Arua.
- ART center at Kibuli (663 clients) and recently rolled out to Masaka, Mbale & Arua.
- 02 SMC Minor theatres started in 2011 at Kibuli (602 cases) & Masaka (367).
- Ophthalmology (Eye services) and Dental Services at Kibuli PTS.
- Laboratory services at Kabalye PTS, Arua, Mbale, Mbarara, Masaka, Jinja, Naguru and Nsambya clinics.
- UPF has eight (08) Police Surgeons at Mbale, Arua, Gulu and KMP. Of whom 01 is in Somalia (FPU), 01 yet to complete Masters Degree course at Makerere University.
TRANSPORT For Health services
- 20 Ambulances [For emergency response].
- 04 Double Cabins.
- 01 Film Van.
- 15 Motorcycles.
Ambulance Locations
- High ways – Iganga, Lugazi, Buwama, Masaka, Mbarara, Luwero, Gulu
Arua, Mityana, Busunju, Katakwi, Mbale (temporarily at Matanyi hospital).
- KMP – Katwe, Kawempe, FFP Hqtr, CPS, Fire &Rescue Services headquarters, and Nsambya Police maternity.
- raining bases – PTS Kabalye and Entebbe / Kasenyi.
- The ambulances have done a great job but the impact is not felt in most areas because they are few.
Health services are delivered with support from government and non-government agencies:
- Ministry of Health (Policy guidance, National Health program, training, monitoring & supervision).
- National Medical Stores (NMS) (Supplies Medicines and other health supplies including ARVs, based on standardized MoH basic KIT for HC II, HC III, and HC IV. Brand new dental unit).
- Democratic Governance and Accountability Program (DGAP-EU Project) -Strengthening laboratory investigations in SGBV cases; 5 microscopes and an assortment of chemicals / reagents.
- MOH & CDC – Donated a new PIMA CD4 testing machine.
- AMREF – 6 microscopes, one motor cycle, vertical training of laboratory staff.
AIDS Control Program – Uganda Police (ACP-UP) is supported by implementing partners;
a) AMICAALL Uganda (Supports Behavior Change Communication – BCC; HIV Counseling & Testing in seven districts; Moroto, Kotido, Mbale, Gulu, Masaka, Hoima, Kampala).
b) World Vision SPEAR Project (SMC, eMTCT, HCT, Systems strengthening)
c) UNFPA [Systems strengthening – Advocacy, Strategic planning,
Information management and film van].
d) Uganda AIDS Commission through Partnership Fund
(Strengthening coordination committees, support supervision).
Naguru Poly Clinic (Mini Hospital)
- Partnership between Police and Iranian Govt (Red Crescent).
- Principle: Red Crescent to construct the facility, managed by both Red Crescent & Police and later handed over to Police.
- 1st phase started about 1 year ago, but project moving slowly due to some challenges.
- Construction is at roofing stage and the initial consignment of equipment is in Mombasa due for clearance.
- 20 bed facility with various medical units (dental, maternity, general out patients, eye / ear care, X-ray, Ultra Sound, laboratories, pharmacy, minor theatre, ambulance service and administrative offices.
- Beneficiaries: Police community and the general public.
- 2nd phase will be an expansion to a 500 bed fully fledged hospital.
Cancer centre
- 1st phase (only diagnostic and research centre).
- Principle: Police to construct the facility, investor to equip it, Police to benefit from subsidized services and proceeds.
- 20-bed multi-specialty day care centre located at Kololo (former Counter Terrorism headquarters).
- Services; i. cancer diagnosis (upper and lower endoscopy, broncoscopy, mammography, basic ultra sound). ii referral for appropriate treatment, iii. Cancer education, IV. Cancer research.
- Other services will include; pharmacy, ambulance service, provision of various supplies / consumables and installation of essential medical gadgets.
- We are looking at putting up a new structure that is purpose made to be a cancer centre.
- Registration of the facility and foreign specialists by the medical council will then follow.
- Appointment of support staff and paramedical staff (both foreign and local) by the specialist and Police management.
- 2nd phase (larger hospital with cancer treatment)
- Building of a modern facility with big admissions (land has been identified at Nsambya).
- Advanced facility for surgery and radiotherapy, MRI and CT Scan
- Installation of advanced diagnostic radiology equipment.
- Training of foreign and national surgeons will be another important activity.
Research.
Let me call upon my colleagues here if they have anything to add on what I have said.
