Uganda Police have passed out at least 1.5 million crime preventers after receiving basic training in crime prevention as the basis for community policing.
The group is to supplement the work done by Police in keeping law and order especially during the Papal visit to Uganda and later on the 2016 election season.
Presiding over the pass out of the crime preventers at Kololo Independence grounds in Kampala recently, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Mr. James Baaba said that fighting crime is every person’s duty.
“Crime preventers should be visible not afraid to protect Ugandans to conduct their business in a peaceful manner,” said the Minister.
Baaba urged the crime preventers for a coordination and togetherness for stability and peace plus a timely information flow. He cautioned them to avoid being partisan while conducting their work.
The crime preventers were drawn from Mukono, Wakiso, Nagalama and Mpigi areas.
The training they have received empowers them with self-defense skills, crime prevention and promoting values of patriotism.
The Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura said that the crime preventers are to reinforce polices efforts in fighting crime through close monitoring of their societies.
He said that the concept of community policing is to strengthen the rule of law and not to promote crime. This he said, in reference to political groups dubbing the move as ‘militia group’.
“Crime prevention is a key factor of organization at the grass root level ‘’ the IGP said
He assured crime preventers of projects under the operation of wealth creation as a reward to them towards serving their country.
He however, cautioned the crime preventers not to misuse the skills they have gained to promote or involve in crime.
