Despite the prevalence of mob justice, we would like to applaud the community in the Greater Kampala area, for abandoning mob justice as a means of solving problems. We are encouraged that residents within the KMP area are using force that is necessary to restrain suspected criminals and coordinating with nearest police. We are very thankful to them.
We would like to caution and discourage those communities that are still taking their law in their hand, by portraying mob justice as a proactive way of fighting crime. This is because the innocence of any member of the public does not lie with any individual or community but by the courts of law, which deem every member of the public as innocent until proven guilty.
The police has tasked all territorial commanders to improve on their performance and address popular concerns from the public, by dealing sufficiently with crime, including perpetrators of mob justice.
We have further tasked all Regional CID Officers, to fast task all the 41 cases of murder by mob action reported to police, in which 42 victims were lynched to death, and 04 others injured. They must ensure that the culprits, including the 10 arrested suspects are prosecuted.
In addition, both Public Relations and Community Liaison Officers are reminded to issue guidelines which value non-violence and respect for human dignity in the neighborhood watch and community policing Initiatives; especially in their rural communities, where the vice is still common.
CP Enanga Fred
Police Spokesperson
4th March 2019
