Covid-19: Focus More On Sensitization than Enforcing Arrests – Asan Kasingye asks Uganda Police

The Assistant Inspector General of Police- AIGP Asan Kasingye has asked police officers to focus more on sensitizing the communities on how to combat the spread of COVID-19 pandemic than enforcing arrests.

Kasingye says many Ugandans still lack proper knowledge on COVID-19 and one of the roles of police is to educate communities.  

He was speaking during the scientific ceremony to receive the new regional Police Commander, Rwenzori East at the Regional Headquarters in Kasese town on Saturday.  

Kasingye reasons that educating people on standard operating procedures – SOPs would help the control curb the spread of the virus. 

He says police officers must dedicate part of their service of educating communities the value of adhering to the SOPs and only resort to arrest for habitual offenders.  

Kasingye also cautioned the officers against carrying out unplanned operations arguing that lack of operational planning has become a source of mistakes during policing.   

He asked police to observe, promote and protect human rights but ensure there is compliance to the law.  

Meanwhile, the incoming Regional Police Commander, SP Bosco Otim called for combined effort both from the public and officers at all levels in executing Police work.   

He said police must focus more on working with communities to execute operations and detecting crime.

Otim replaces ASP Samuel Asiimwe who was deployed in the Region last year.

Asiimwe has been transferred to serve in the same capacity in Busoga East. Rwenzori East has witnessed continuous police reshuffles in the last one year. 

In April last year police  replaced some of its top commanders in Kasese District and Rwenzori East region after failing to implement President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s orders issued to curb the spread of Coronavirus Disease.

These included Superintendent of Police –SP Daniel Mugisha, who also served as Rwenzori East RPC and Kasese District Police Commander –DPC SP Dickens Okello.  

The group is accused of allowing people to move in and out of Uganda at the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo–DRC, something that exposes the country to the Coronavirus.